Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bird Collision with Vehicles and Buildings

Billions of wild birds die annually from collisions with glass buildings and vehicles, representing a significant but reducible welfare burden.

Key Facts

An estimated 1 billion birds die from window strikes annually in North America alone
Birds cannot perceive glass as a barrier, seeing sky and vegetation reflections
Window films, vertical patterns, and external screens significantly reduce strike rates
Vehicle strikes are most common in low-speed zones where birds cross roads at vehicle height
Mitigation on urban buildings and at-home windows are both highly cost-effective interventions

Welfare Considerations

Window and vehicle strikes cause acute trauma and painful deaths for billions of birds annually. The solutions are available and affordable, making this a tractable welfare problem awaiting broader implementation.

What You Can Do

Apply bird-safe window films or place markers on reflective windows at home
Advocate for bird-safe building design standards in your city
Slow down near hedgerows and treelines where birds cross roads at vehicle height