Migrating Into Danger

In a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times, reporter Dan Rozek discussed a common fear of every birder: window collisions. In downtown Chicago, hundreds of birds are killed or injured every year as they collide with skyscrapers. Fall is a particularly active time for collisions due to migrating shorebirds, and in the past week dozens of American woodcocks have been killed or injured as they pass through the city. The high number of collisions is blamed in part on a sudden burst of winter weather that has triggered birds’ migration instincts and incited a rush of migration.

Fortunately, the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors have been able to rehabilitate many of the injured birds. As birders, we should all know how to assist birds after a window collision. What steps do you take to help injured birds? Share your tips in the comments!