Help Us Make Cornell's Campus Safer for Birds!

Take Action on Campus
Purple Martins fill the sky in Brazos, Texas. Photo by Jonathan Taffet / Macaulay Library.

Cause

Photo by Cynthia Sedlacek.

Birds can’t distinguish glass from real habitat and fly into it trying to access resources. Artificial light can exacerbate this issue, particularly in urban areas.

Impact

Bird collision victims from a Chicago building, 5 October 2023, Field Museum. Photo courtesy of Daryl Coldren.

Glass collision is the third largest threat to birds. Bird populations are in steep decline. The U.S. and Canada have lost 29% of breeding birds since 1970.

Solution

Acopian BirdSavers at the Lab. Photo by Miyoko Chu.

The solution to glass collisions is making glass visible to birds. To learn more about how to do this and other solutions, go to stopbirdcollisons.org

Interested in Joining Our Team?

Email deadbird@cornell.edu for more information on participating in the student initiative.

Have You Seen a Dead Bird On Campus?

If you find a bird that is dead or injured in a collision with glass, report it to dBird.org. These data help identify collision hotspots and prioritize solutions. If you find an injured bird that can be captured for rehabilitation, call the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital: (607) 253-3060

Report a Collision Here

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