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City Lights, Bird Fights: How Urban Glow Threatens Migratory Birds

“Every year, millions of migrating birds cross the skies of New York City along one of the world’s busiest avian routes. Of these, up to 250,000 don’t make it. These unfortunates end up dead in the city’s streets, victims of collisions with brightly lit buildings.” – Jules Stewart, author of Migrating birds fall foul of New York’s bright lights.

The bright lights of Manhattan at sunset. Daniel Arranz/Shutterstock newyorkbirds.jpg

You may wonder how something as simple and normal as lights can harm birds and I’m going to explain why they are a big problem for them. Many migratory birds such as thrushes travel at night. The cooler, calmer night air lets them save energy as they fly, helping them stay hydrated and avoid tiring out too quickly. These birds travel long distances from the United States to Central America at night to avoid predators and conserve energy. Artificial lights, which are the lights created by humans, can attract large numbers of night-migrating birds from as far as 5 kilometers away and confuse their sense of direction. Birds are normally guided by moonlight and starlight, which are stable and give them reliable guidance, but the lights of buildings can confuse their direction. When they see city lights, especially tall and very intense ones they think they are landmarks or the sky. By getting stuck in the illuminated area and traveling in circles, many birds become exhausted, without enough energy to continue their journey and in confusion crash into windows and die instantly.

Wood Thrush, All about birds, Cornell labs of Ornithology. id

This disorientation caused by artificial lights goes beyond exhaustion and crashes. As some researchers explain, bright city lights can interfere with the three main orientation mechanisms birds rely on: “solar, stellar, and magnetic” compasses. For example, “artificial light may…interfere with the stellar compass, which forms when young birds identify the center of celestial rotation during their first spring” and use constellations to guide their path. With the increasing glow of urban areas, these constellations become harder to see, leaving birds vulnerable to losing their way. Additionally, artificial light can disrupt the magnetic compass by affecting a radical-pair process in the retina that helps birds detect Earth’s magnetic field. This interference, combined with the glare of intense lights that “bleaches the rhodopsin in their retina,” (Adams, C., Hernandez-Juricic, E., Bayne, E., & St. Clair, C., 2021) leaves birds unable to see dim celestial light or identify reliable landmarks. These compounded effects make artificial lighting a persistent and deadly hazard for migratory birds.

Birds flying around the iconic Flatiron Building in New York. Image: Shutterstock

“Migratory birds depend on cues from properly timed seasonal schedules. Artificial lights can cause them to migrate too early or too late and miss ideal climate conditions for nesting, foraging, and other behaviors.” (Darksky, 2023). Migratory birds depend on natural cues, like the length of daylight and temperature changes, to know when it’s time to start their journey. These signals help them determine the best time to fly, ensuring they find the best conditions for feeding, nesting, and surviving. But when we add artificial lights into the mix, it messes with their natural instincts. Bright lights at night can confuse the birds, making them think it’s earlier or later in the season than it really is. This could make them leave too early or too late. If they leave too soon, they might run into bad weather or not find enough food. If they leave too late, they could miss out on the best conditions for breeding or foraging.

It’s easy to forget how our actions affect the world around us, especially the animals that live in the same spaces. Migrating birds are just trying to survive, and something as simple as city lights is throwing them off track. By making small changes, like dimming our lights at night or designing buildings that are safer for birds, we can help make sure they have a better chance. It’s a simple fix for us, but it could make a world of difference for these birds and the future of wildlife.

References

Stewart, J. (2024, February 2), Migrating birds fall foul of New York’s bright lights, Geographical.

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Adams, C., Hernandez-Juricic, E., Bayne, E., & St. Clair, C., (2021, December 15), Effects of artificial light on bird movement and distribution: a systematic map, Environmental Evidence. s13750-021-00246-8

Staff, (2023, November 13), Light pollution harms wildlife and ecosystems.

wildlife-ecosystems

Lights Out, Lives Saved: Urban Efforts to Protect Migratory Birds

Every year, millions of birds crash into buildings as they navigate through cities, disoriented by bright lights and reflective surfaces. But some cities are taking action to change that. Places like San Francisco and Minneapolis have started redesigning buildings to be more bird-friendly. For example, they use special glass that birds can see, helping them avoid dangerous collisions. Additionally, many buildings now dim their lights at night during migration seasons, making it easier for birds to stay on course. These small changes are a step in the right direction, proving that with a little creativity, we can make our cities safer for both people and wildlife. It’s encouraging progress, but there’s still more work to be done.

The Manhattan skyline as seen from across the Hudson River in Hoboken, N.J. George Etheredge for The New York Times

New York City has taken significant steps to protect migratory birds, starting with initiatives like the Lights Out New York Program, launched in 2005 by the NYC Bird Alliance. This program encourages buildings to dim or turn off non-essential nighttime lights during migration seasons, reducing the risk of disorientation and collisions. However, NYC Bird Alliance said “achieving an impactful level of consistent ‘lights out’ participation by the City’s buildings has proved challenging” due to New York’s vast size and the sheer number of brightly lit structures. To address these challenges, the city passed groundbreaking bird-friendly design legislation in 2019 and is now advocating for laws requiring reduced artificial lighting during spring and fall migration. These efforts not only aim to save countless birds but also contribute to sustainability by lowering energy consumption.

The renovated Jacob K. Javits convention Center incorporates bird friendly facade and a seven-acre green roof. Photo: Javits Center

The Javits Center in New York City is a shining example of how urban buildings can prioritize bird-friendly design without compromising functionality or aesthetic appeal. According to the NYC Bird Alliance, this iconic convention center has transformed into a wildlife sanctuary while maintaining its role as a hub for innovation and business. In 2014, the Javits Center made a bold move to replace nearly one-third of its original glass with stainless steel panels, significantly reducing reflective surfaces. For the remaining glass, they installed low-reflection panes featuring a frit-dot pattern that alerts birds to the presence of solid barriers while minimizing the illusion of open sky. The results speak for themselves: a 90% reduction in bird collisions was recorded after these changes. This transformation not only sets a national standard for sustainability but also proves that urban infrastructure and environmental conservation can go hand in hand. By investing in bird-friendly design, the Javits Center has become a leader in creating safer spaces for migratory birds while continuing to serve as a community partner and leader in innovation.

Nashville warbler, Migrating birds of Central Park, September 24, 2023, David Barret

There are simple ways we can help reduce the impact of artificial light on migratory birds, especially during their peak migration seasons (April to May and August to November). One easy step is turning off bright exterior lights like floodlights and decorative displays between 11 PM and 6 AM. Doing this not only helps birds stay safe but also cuts down on energy costs. Other helpful actions include switching off lights in empty rooms or unused areas, using lights that point downward, and adding motion sensors to keep lights on only when needed. At night, you can use smaller desk lamps instead of big overhead lights and close curtains or blinds to keep light from spilling outside.

In conclusion, while New York City has made strides in addressing the threat that artificial light poses to migratory birds, there’s still much to be done. The efforts of programs like Lights Out New York and the bird-friendly design initiatives seen in buildings like the Javits Center are crucial steps forward. By continuing to push for city-wide participation in dimming lights during migration seasons and promoting sustainable design in urban infrastructure, we can significantly reduce the risks to birds. It’s clear that protecting wildlife and conserving energy don’t have to be mutually exclusive goals—by being mindful of our lighting choices, we can create a more harmonious balance between urban life and the natural world. Every small action counts, and together, we can help ensure a safer, brighter future for both people and birds.

References

NYC Bird Alliance, Bird friendly building examples, nycbirdalliance.org.

Bird-friendly-actors

Allen, D. and DeCandido, R., (2023, October 4), Migrating birds of central park/nyc-Autumn 2023, birding bob.

Migrating-birds-of-central-park-and-manhattan-autumn-2023

New York State, (2022, May 20), ‘Lights Out’ Initiative Launched in New York to Protect Migrating Birds, Department of Environmental Conservation

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NYC Bird Alliance, Lights out legislation, nycbirdalliance.org

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