Window collisions kill an estimated 100 million birds annually in the UK and up to one billion in North America. This preventable mortality source causes acute trauma and death to birds of all species including many that are declining.
Window collisions cause acute traumatic injury - brain injury, spinal damage, and internal haemorrhage. Birds that survive the initial impact often die hours later from haemorrhage or shock. This source of mortality is almost entirely preventable at reasonable cost. The failure to incorporate bird-safe design as standard in building construction reflects how little weight bird welfare and conservation receives in planning and architectural decision-making.