Bird-Window Collision Mitigation at USU’s Classroom and Student Services Building, Brigham City, Utah
Introduction
Bird-window collisions a major problem for bird populations worldwide. In the United States alone it is estimated that 365-988 million birds fatally collide with human-made windows annually, 1 and another 16 to 42 million collide in Canada per year.
As part of our BIOL 5800 course, we are investigating the scope of bird-window collisions at the Classroom & Student Services Building on the USU-Brigham City campus.
We are performing a daily census to gauge the magnitude of the problem. Should collision hotspots be found, we plan to share methods for mitigation with the campus administration. To that end, we are investigating different methods of preventing bird-window collision. We hope to help make the building a safer place for birds in Brigham City, which is home to a world-famous bird refuge.
Methods
Possible mitigation techniques
The mitigation techniques we have uncovered include: fritting, which is a pattern on the glass to deter birds, placing decals on the glass to alert birds that there is a solid surface, mosquito screens, netting, one-way transparent film, ABC bird tape and a motion activated sound system that will produce a noise to help prevent collisions.
We have undertaken a cost comparison of mitigation methods. Cost estimates were made per window based on the average-size window at the C&SS Building.
Results
Mitigation cost comparison
At present, we do not have enough year of census data, so we are unable to determine if there is a hot spot for bird-window collisions. However, at present, 70% of collisions have occurred on the east side of the building. Still, the results of our cost comparison indicate that ABC bird tape would be the most cost effective (see the table below).
| Mitigation Effort | Cost USD* (per window) |
|---|---|
| Bird Decals | 10 |
| Mosquito Screen | 60-80 |
| Netting | 50 |
| ABC bird tape | 4 |
| One-way film | 32 |
| Sound System | 560 total |
*All prices are averages as the price would vary based on the company and total amount needed. Sound system would include full building protection.
Conclusions
The east side of the building has produced 70% of the fatal collisions up to this point, so we predict that this will be where mitigation efforts will be needed. ABC tape would be the most cost-effective measure; however, it would not be as pleasing to the eye as a more uniform option such as one-way film or netting.
Future Directions
As hotpots are found, they will be used as sites to test mitigation efforts in cooperation with our campus administration. Additional University or city buildings in Brigham City could be included in a future census. We plan to educate the community about the problem in a summer science camp being held at our campus for incoming 4th , 5th , and 6th graders.
Bibliography
- Loss, S. R., Will, T., Loss, S. S., & Marra, P. P. (2014). Bird-building collisions in the United States: Estimates of annual mortality and species vulnerability. Condor: Ornithological Applications, 116(1), 8–23.
- Machtans, C., Wedeles, C., & Bayne, E. (2013). A first estimate for Canada of the number of birds killed by colliding with building windows. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 8(2)
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Dr. Kim Sullivan and Dr. Tadd Colver of USU for the support and discussions.