Window Collisions take a Staggering Toll on Bird Populations
Over 1 billion birds die from window collisions each year—and 44% of those deaths happen at homes.
Our goal is to prevent these avoidable losses through local advocacy, hands-on solutions, public education, and citizen science.
Reflective glass and other surfaces poses a great threats to birds. Photo: iStock/jnnault
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING
POLICY & ADVOCACY
Every year, over a billion birds die as a result of window collisions. The vast majority of these deaths occur on low- and mid-rise buildings—44% on low-rise (mostly residential homes) and 56% on mid-rise structures. That’s why our work focuses where it matters most: homes, schools, and mid-sized buildings in our communities.
We advocate for stronger policies that prevent these unnecessary deaths. We support ordinances requiring bird-safe glass in new construction, promote Lights Out programs to reduce nighttime hazards, and push for retrofits on existing buildings known to be high-risk.
Bird-safe skyway under construction at Minneapolis College, one of six built under the 2016 ordinance.
Bird-Safe Policy Gaps in Minnesota
In Minnesota, bird-safe building requirements currently apply only to state-owned buildings and newly constructed skyways in Minneapolis. This leaves most commercial and residential construction without any mandate to use bird-safe glass.
Nationwide, at least 20 cities and municipalities have adopted local bird-safe building ordinances—demonstrating that stronger protections are both possible and practical.
We’re working to bring Minnesota up to speed.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Each spring and fall, volunteers with the MNBC monitor for bird-window collisions across the Twin Cities. This citizen science effort helps identify high-risk buildings. The data we gather not only raises awareness but also informs our advocacy, outreach, and retrofit efforts. By walking specific routes and recording strike data, community members play a vital role in protecting migratory birds and pushing for meaningful change.
Pictured left: Yellow-rumped warbler, window collision victim, receives a wing exam WRC. Collision Corps volunteers transport injured birds to the Wildlife Rehab Center for care. Photo courtesy of WRC.
CURRENT STUDIES
The Skyway Study – Monitoring downtown Minneapolis skyways constructed before and after the 2016 bird-safe glass ordinance.
The Mississippi River Critical Corridor Study – Targeting buildings along the Mississippi flyway, where dense vegetation meets reflective glass.
The High-Risk Buildings Study – Revisiting structures with a history of frequent collisions.
The Suburban Office Park Study – Filling a critical gap by tracking collisions at mid-rise commercial campuses, which account for over half of annual window-related bird deaths.
The Residential Self-Reporting Project – Helping homeowners and renters document collisions at home and guiding them to effective solutions.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Education That Takes Flight
We bring bird conservation to life through engaging outreach tailored to schools, businesses, and the general public. Whether it’s presenting to classrooms, guiding corporate sustainability efforts, or speaking at community events, we empower people of all ages to take meaningful action for birds.