Helena Joyce
Light pollution is a significant threat to birds, particularly those that migrate at night. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) estimates that 1 to 10 birds die per building, per year, and it is thought that between 100 million and one billion birds are killed annually in the United States alone due to collisions with buildings. Light pollution attracts and disorients migrating birds, confusing and exhausting them, and making them vulnerable to collisions. It also disrupts their natural habits, causing them to avoid essential habitats and altering predator-prey relationships. While the problem is complex, the solution is simple: turning off unnecessary lights during migration seasons can dramatically reduce the hazards faced by birds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Estimated number of birds dying from colliding with buildings in the US each year | 100 million to 1 billion |
| Number of birds killed in Chicago on 4-5 October 2023 | 1,000 |
| Number of bird species killed in Chicago on 4-5 October 2023 | 33 |
| Number of birds killed in a single night in October 2023 | 1,000 |
| Number of birds dying from colliding with buildings in the US each year (another estimate) | 365–988 million |
| Estimate of bird deaths per building, per year | 1 to 10 |
| Bird species that migrate at night and are exposed to light pollution | Ducks, geese, sandpipers, songbirds, seabirds, blackpoll warbler, Asian stubtail, oriental plover |
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What You'll Learn
- Light pollution attracts birds to cities, causing collisions with buildings
- Light pollution disrupts bird migration, causing exhaustion and disorientation
- Lights Out initiatives aim to reduce light pollution during bird migration
- Bird-friendly lighting includes using amber lights and limiting light spillover
- Light pollution affects bird habitats, altering predator-prey relationships
Light pollution attracts birds to cities, causing collisions with buildings
Light pollution is a significant threat to birds, with an estimated 365–988 million birds dying annually from colliding with buildings. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) estimates that 1–10 birds die per building each year.
Artificial light attracts migrating birds, drawing them towards cities and away from their usual stopover locations. This can deplete their energy reserves, making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other man-made infrastructure. Birds are also disoriented by the lights, which can alter their natural migration patterns and expose them to predators and other urban dangers.
The problem of light pollution and its impact on birds is intensifying. With the advent of LED lighting, light pollution is growing in North America by up to 10% per year. As a result, birds are increasingly being lured into cities, where food is scarcer and the presence of glass buildings and other infrastructure poses a collision risk.
The good news is that awareness of this issue is growing, and solutions are available. "Lights Out" programs have been established in over 20 cities in North America, encouraging the reduction of unnecessary lighting during peak bird migration periods. Homeowners can also play a role by assessing and reducing their outdoor lighting.
By taking action to address light pollution, we can help protect migratory birds and ensure their safety as they journey to and from their breeding grounds. It is important to use lighting in a way that minimizes harm to both humans and wildlife, creating a balance that benefits all.
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Light pollution disrupts bird migration, causing exhaustion and disorientation
Light pollution is a significant threat to bird migration, with serious ecological consequences. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) estimates that 1 to 10 birds die each year per building in Canada. This equates to hundreds of millions, possibly even billions, of avian fatalities annually in the United States alone.
Artificial light has been shown to attract migrating birds, luring them towards cities and away from their usual stopover sites. This phenomenon has been observed in multiple studies, with light pollution proving to be a more significant predictor of bird densities than variables like temperature, precipitation, or tree canopy cover. The bright lights of cities and urban outskirts can be seen from kilometres away, drawing birds towards them and disrupting their natural migration patterns.
The attraction to artificial light can lead to exhaustion in migratory birds, as they become entrapped in circles of light, depleting their energy reserves. This exhaustion increases the vulnerability of birds to predators and collisions with buildings and other man-made infrastructure. The risk of collision is further heightened by disorientation caused by excessive artificial light at night (ALAN), which interferes with the natural patterns of light and dark in ecosystems.
To address these issues, initiatives such as "Lights Out" campaigns have been established in over 30 cities in North America, encouraging the reduction or elimination of unnecessary lighting during critical migration periods. These campaigns aim to reduce the hazards faced by migrating birds, allowing them to safely continue their journeys. Simple actions, such as turning off lights or using amber-coloured lights, can make a significant difference in protecting bird populations and creating a more natural environment for both people and birds.
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Lights Out initiatives aim to reduce light pollution during bird migration
Light pollution poses a significant threat to migrating birds, with an estimated 365–988 million birds dying annually from colliding with buildings in the United States alone. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) estimates that "1 to 10 birds die per building, per year" in Canada. Light pollution attracts and disorients nocturnally migrating birds, confusing and exhausting them, and making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other urban dangers like cats and toxins.
To address this issue, Lights Out initiatives have been established in over 30 cities in North America, including Philadelphia, with the simple but effective strategy of encouraging building owners and managers to turn off non-essential lighting during the bird migration seasons of spring and fall. This helps to reduce the attraction of artificial light on birds, allowing them to safely navigate their migratory journeys. The Lights Out Texas campaign, for example, highlights critical peak windows during the migration seasons, where around 50% of migrating birds pass through in a few weeks.
Audubon, a key partner in the Lights Out movement, has developed resources such as sample letters that can be sent to building managers and elected officials to raise awareness about the risks of artificial light at night for birds. They have also been instrumental in convincing cities to adopt Lights Out programs and have conducted studies to understand the impact of bright lights on birds.
In addition to reducing bird fatalities, Lights Out initiatives offer the added benefit of saving energy and money. The Environmental Protection Agency highlights energy as the largest operating expense for commercial buildings, and reducing energy use during the migration season makes both environmental and fiscal sense. By working together to reduce light pollution, cities and individuals can make a significant difference in protecting migrating birds and ensuring their safe passage.
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Bird-friendly lighting includes using amber lights and limiting light spillover
Light pollution is a significant threat to birds, particularly those that migrate at night. The bright lights of buildings can attract birds, leading to fatal collisions. It is estimated that between 100 million and one billion birds are killed in the United States each year due to collisions with buildings, with light pollution being a major contributor.
To reduce the impact of light pollution on birds, bird-friendly lighting practices should be implemented. One effective measure is the use of amber lights. Amber lights, with their longer wavelengths, provide sufficient lighting for human visibility while being outside the range of most animals' vision. This means that nocturnal animals will not be disturbed, and birds are less likely to be attracted to illuminated areas. Additionally, amber lights with a warmer correlated color temperature (CCT) can help reduce eye strain for humans as well.
Another important aspect of bird-friendly lighting is limiting light spillover. Uplights, for example, create excess overhead light spread, which can disorient birds and other wildlife. By directing lighting downwards and using shields or optics to contain the light, spillover can be minimized. This not only reduces the negative impact on birds but also increases visibility for people by creating a better-illuminated space.
Installing lights lower to the ground is another way to limit light spillover. Mounting light fixtures at 15 feet or lower ensures that light is focused only on the intended area. This also reduces the amount of wasted light, resulting in lower power consumption and cost savings.
Implementing motion sensors and timers is another strategy to ensure lights are only on when needed, further reducing light pollution and its impact on birds. Additionally, during critical migration periods, turning off non-essential lighting can significantly help birds safely navigate their journeys.
By adopting these bird-friendly lighting practices, such as using amber lights and limiting light spillover, we can reduce the harmful effects of light pollution on birds, helping them navigate their migratory paths safely and reducing the risk of collisions with buildings and other structures.
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Light pollution affects bird habitats, altering predator-prey relationships
Light pollution is a significant threat to bird habitats, with artificial light disrupting their natural migration patterns and luring them into risky, substandard zones.
During migration, birds need stopover locations where they can rest and feed. However, light pollution from cities attracts birds, drawing them away from their usual stopover sites and into urban areas where food is scarcer and hazards are more prevalent. These hazards include collisions with buildings, glass, and other infrastructure, as well as threats like cats and toxins. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) estimates that "1 to 10 birds die per building, per year" due to light pollution. Another study estimates that between 100 million and one billion birds perish annually in the United States alone from colliding with buildings.
The impact of light pollution on bird habitats is evident in the mass bird loss events that have occurred in recent years. In October 2023, nearly 1,000 birds died after colliding with the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. While such large-scale fatalities are uncommon, they highlight the severe consequences of light pollution on bird populations.
Light pollution can also alter the relationships between predators and prey. Birds that migrate or forage offshore are particularly vulnerable to disorientation from coastal lighting and offshore vessels and structures. This disorientation can deplete their energy reserves, making them more susceptible to exhaustion and predation.
To mitigate the effects of light pollution on bird habitats, various measures can be implemented. These include shielding light sources to prevent light spillover, using non-reflective dark-coloured surfaces, and employing lights with reduced harmful wavelengths. Additionally, initiatives like "Lights Out" campaigns encourage the reduction of non-essential lighting during critical migration periods. By turning off or dimming lights, we can help birds safely navigate their migratory journeys and reduce the risk of collisions and disorientation.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that between 365 and 988 million birds die in collisions with buildings in the United States each year due to light pollution.
Light pollution attracts and disorients migrating birds, confusing and exhausting them, and making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other urban threats.
Yes, blue, white, or "cooler" lights with shorter wavelengths are least favorable for birds. It is recommended to keep lights as dim as possible and to use amber-colored lights, which have been found to be less harmful.
Initiatives such as “Lights Out” programs and the Urban Bird Treaty Cities network aim to reduce light pollution during critical migration periods. Individuals can also take action by turning off unnecessary lights, especially during peak bird migration periods, and supporting bird-friendly practices in their communities.
Reducing light pollution helps keep birds safely on course during their migratory journeys, reducing the risk of collisions and other hazards. It also saves energy and money, as reducing light usage lowers operating expenses for commercial buildings.
