Wildlife

Wild Migratory Bird Light Pollution: Disorientation and Mortality

Artificial light at night disorients migrating birds, causing millions of collision deaths that simple measures can reduce.

Key Facts

Light pollution causes migrating birds to circle illuminated buildings for hours before collision
An estimated 1 billion birds die annually in building collisions in North America alone
Turning off lights during peak migration nights (spring and autumn) dramatically reduces deaths
Warm-toned LED lights cause less disorientation than blue-rich white lights

Welfare Considerations

Birds disoriented by light pollution circle illuminated structures for hours in an exhausted state before collision death. This welfare harm occurs on a continental scale during migration. Building-level interventions including lights-off programmes and window treatments provide immediate welfare benefit.

What You Can Do

Participate in Lights Out campaigns turning off unnecessary lighting during migration
Install bird-safe window treatments to reduce daytime collision risk
Advocate for local authority dark skies policies protecting migratory flyways