Bird Strike Project
Up to one billion birds strike glass in North America each year, and millions more hit windows each year around the globe, This is an enormous and heart-breaking number - although we don't know much about bird strike in Australia. With your help, we can learn more about where and why it's happening, and work together to prevent one of the highest causes of bird injury and mortality.
The Bird Strike Project aims to provide a single management point for our partners in data collection, solutions, and eventually go beyond simple solutions and work across industry to get bird-friendly technology into buildings and other infrastructure. Bird strike has also been assessed as a major threat to Australia’s urban bird communities by a panel of experts during stakeholder workshops for BirdLife Australia’s Urban Bird Conservation Action Plan (UBCAP).
How can you get involved?
You can report any bird window/car strikes using our online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/aussiebirdstrike
What do we know about window strike?
Migratory species are some of the most vulnerable to window collisions
Collisions are more frequent during autumn migrations and spring breeding seasons
Species who exhibit fast, agile and direct flying patterns are more susceptible to window collisions
Flocking species are less likely to collide with windows
Large areas of transparent or reflective glass increased the risk of window collisions
Windows that reflect sky or vegetation may appear as an available flight path or habitat and can cause a bird to collide with a window
Individual buildings can have their own unique set of characteristics that influence the risk of window collisions
Collisions are more of a risk in older neighbourhoods with complex vegetation
Landscaping features such as birdbaths, birdfeeders, resource-rich trees and water features bring birds closer to windows and increase the risk of a collision.
Low-rise buildings close to urban greenspaces are hotspots for window collisions
Suburban and rural areas have a higher collision risk
How can you make your windows safe for birds?
Download our brochure below to undertake the strike risk checklist and read about ways to strike proof your home and office
What should you do if you find an injured bird?
Please see our FAQ on sick or injured birds, including contacts for wildlife rescue groups around the country or download a pdf:
Where can you find more information?
Check out our bird strike blog posts:
Introducing the Bird-Strike project.
Reducing bird window strike - take these steps to assess your site.
How does behaviour and eyesight affect bird-window collisions?
This project received financial support from the Australian Bird Environment Foundation of BirdLife Australia, The Belalberi Foundation and the Australian Geographic Society.
