Every year, millions of birds lose their lives in collisions with buildings—a largely invisible crisis that’s directly linked to how we design and construct our urban environments. From towering skyscrapers to residential homes, our built environment has become an unintended death trap for countless bird species. The crisis of bird-collisions spans from metropolitan high-rises to suburban houses, revealing how our construction choices inadvertently transform buildings into deadly obstacles for wildlife.
Large glass facades, reflective surfaces, and certain lighting patterns create optical illusions that confuse birds, leading them to fly directly into what they cannot perceive as solid barriers. Every design decision—from the type of glass specified to the building’s orientation, from landscape planning to lighting choices—can either contribute to the problem or be part of the solution.
Current building practices often prioritise aesthetics, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, but rarely consider the ecological impact on their populations. However, innovative solutions exist that can maintain architectural integrity while dramatically reducing btheir casualties.
Understanding the Knowledge Gap
To address this issue effectively, we need to understand how much awareness exists within the building fraternity about bird-window collisions. Are architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners aware of this problem? Do they understand which design elements contribute to these strikes? Are there barriers preventing the adoption of bird-friendly design practices?
Why Your Participation Matters
This survey, by Peeyush Sekhsaria and Devashree Degwekar, is currently being conducted to gauge awareness and perceptions regarding bird-window collisions among building professionals. This research aims to:
- Identify knowledge gaps within the industry
- Understand current perceptions about bird-friendly design
- Explore barriers to implementing bird-safe construction practices
- Develop targeted education and solution strategies
- Inform policy recommendations for sustainable building practices
This survey is designed to be concise, respecting your valuable time. We encourage you to share your candid views.
For any questions or assistance, please contact:
Peeyush Sekhsaria: peeyush.sekhsaria@gmail.com
Devashree Degwekar: dvd8688@gmail.com
