In a single night, a devastating incident unfolded in Chicago, as over a thousand migratory birds met their end after colliding into the McCormick Place Lakeside Center. The deadly confluence of migration season, adverse weather conditions and insufficient bird-friendly measures in the area is being attributed as the cause of this staggering mortality.
More than a thousand birds were collected from the scene by the Chicago Field Museum, where they were found having fatally smashed into the convention center situated by the Lake Michigan. Describing the scenario, Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, stated that the sight was overwhelming and tragic.
Working in collaboration with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, volunteers further reported an additional thousand casualties from the city’s downtown side. Prince suggested that the number was likely higher; some birds may have initially flown away after impact, only to later succumb to injuries.
A series of factors were seen to have contributed to this cataclysmic event. There was a high volume of birds preparing to migrate south for the winter on that particular night. With the arrival of favorable winds on Wednesday, a massive exodus ensued. However, challenging weather conditions such as fog and low-hanging clouds likely confused the birds, causing them to fly at lower altitudes, thereby increasing their chances of colliding into buildings.
Light plays a significant role in these collisions. Buildings that are brightly lit during the night serve as beacon of sorts for these birds. The McCormick Place Lakeside Center, standing as one of the first structures along the birds’ path around Lake Michigan, presented the illusion of open space because of the extensive glass panels used in its architecture, leading them to fly right into it.
It is important to note that many of these victims were young birds on their first migration journey. Andrew Farnsworth, an ornithologist from the Cornell University, identified the severity of the event, remarking that the one-night mortality at McCormick Place equaled the average annual death rate at the building.
McCormick Place recognized the incident, releasing a statement that highlighted the unusual weather pattern during a peak migration season and the effect of building lights resulting in avian disorientation and high mortality. They expressed regret over the incident. Buildings that are illuminated overnight, especially those with large glass panels, pose a threat to migratory birds during peak seasons. However, there are effective solutions to mitigate these fatal collisions – namely, incorporating bird-friendly glass and minimizing light pollution.
Bird-friendly glasses have distinctive fritting or patterns that reduce reflectivity and make them visible to birds. Historical buildings can add decals to their windows to similarly deter bird collisions. On the other hand, turning off non-essential lights, particularly during night-time, can significantly reduce the threat to these creatures. Despite the effectiveness of these preventive measures, their implementation can be challenging because human aesthetics often take precedence.
These constant collisions, coupled with climate change and habitat destruction, only increase the threats to birds and other wildlife. As Prince stated, “These birds are not replaceable. They’re valuable too, because we enjoy them, and they’re valuable because they’re critical to our environment.”
