Let this Earth Day go to the Birds!

Photo Credit: SK Staff

Let this Earth Day go to the Birds!

by Jessica Handy
April 20, 2023

If there were an election, I would vote for birds as Earth Day’s mascot. We have food because birds are pollinators and seed spreaders, we are not entirely overrun by insects because birds are predators, the forest and the fields are clean because birds are scavengers, and music fills the air because birds are musicians. Birds are amazing creatures we should be enjoying more and protecting better. To do this we need to be encouraging bird-friendly design.  Like me, do you want more of these muti-talented avian visitors to your home? Try adding more native plants. The Audubon Society has a great tool for identifying and sourcing plants that will attract birds, www.audubon.org/native-plants. Consider installing a green roof or green wall that provides shelter and food for birds. And to learn more about the birds in your backyard and their journey to get there, try the Audubon Society’s new Bird Migration Explorer, Bird Migration Explorer, the tool is mesmerizing. A bird’s migration can be treacherous. Although birds are not “bird brains,” when it comes to discerning reflection from reality, they fall short, or rather, hit hard. Birds collide with reflective glass because what they see ahead looks just like where they have come from. Researchers at The Smithsonian estimate that homes one to three stories tall account for a little less than half of all bird fatalities in the US, that is 253 million bird deaths annually. This is why sustainable design includes bird-friendly design. There are many options for collision-proof glass, and designer’s have been using them for more than a decade. Some municipalities mandate bird safety requirements, Toronto was the first in North America in 2010. New York City now has a mandate, and the City of Los Angeles is working on a Wildlife Ordinance; a well-rounded approach to protection that includes glass collision prevention, trash enclosure requirements, fencing, lighting, and landscaping requirements to help protect all wildlife in our area. Options for glass collision prevention include fritting (tiny opaque dots or lines). Frank Gehry’s iconic ICA building in New York City is so fritted the windows look opaque from the outside, but provide beautiful views from the inside. New York City’s Javits Center added ceramic frits to their glass and not only reduced bird collisions by 90%, they reduced their energy costs by 26%! Slats, screens, netting and louvers as seen on many buildings can be architecturally stunning and prevent collisions. There are many options for what you can do at home to prevent collisions too. Frit patterns applied to the outside are hardly visible to the human eye. Even low-tech temporary paint, film, tape or decals applied in a pattern will reduce collisions. Bird feeders placed within three feet of glass, especially glass corners, will attract birds away from the glass, and turning lights off at night reduces collisions during migratory seasons, reduces light pollution, and reduces your energy bill. If you do have an unfortunate collision or encounter an injured bird, contact Wildlife Care of Southern California at 805-428-7105 for guidance. If you are interested in bird-collision-proofing your windows, let us know, we are happy to design the best option for your home and for the birds!