CHAMPAIGN-URBANA (WCIA) — Students at the University of Illinois are tracking bird fatalities on campus, aiming to discover ways to decrease bird collisions with windows and buildings.

This initiative, known as the Bird Strike Survey, is linked with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

From September to November and March to May, volunteers search for injured birds, focusing on “problem buildings” twice daily. When they encounter a bird, they record details such as its species, the date and location of the incident, and the orientation of the impacted window.

The surveyors use this information to identify which buildings on campus are most dangerous to birds and which species are most impacted.

The project began at U of I in 2019. NRES senior Sarah Jacobson noted it was initiated when students recognized the need to address campus bird strikes.

“Combining urban areas with natural ones, like this campus, significantly contributes to bird strikes since many birds use these as stopover habitats during migration,” Jacobson explained.

Jacobson added that an estimated 1 billion birds die from bird strikes in North America each year.

Certain elements on the U of I’s campus pose risks to birds. For instance, reflections of the Quad on glass buildings may trick birds into seeing real trees and sky, prompting them to fly into buildings. Additionally, artificial lights can disorient migrating birds at night.

Those involved in the project said they hope the data they collect will lead to building design changes, ultimately supporting bird conservation on campus. The Bird Strike Survey team is already speaking with the U of I about possible solutions. This includes applying overlays to windows to reduce reflections, or installing sticker grids that create the illusion of an obstacle birds can’t fly through.

And the project couldn’t come at a more important time. Benjamin Van Doren, an assistant professor in NRES and one of several faculty advisors to the project, said birds are essential to our natural ecosystem, but are facing certain threats.

“North American bird populations are currently declining at a worrying rate, and collisions with buildings are a large source of direct, human-caused mortality,” Van Doren said.

Students from all across campus are involved in the leadership team.

NRES seniors Jacobson and Wren Dulnev provide information about ecology and field work; Avi Berger, a graduate student in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, is in charge of specimen preservation; Leilany Fuentes-Garcia, senior in sustainable design, Ciara Roon West, junior in civil engineering, provide insight into bird-friendly construction practices.

Anyone interested in learning how to identify birds, promote bird conservation, and help reduce bird strikes can sign up to volunteer for the survey’s fall season, which begins Sept. 5.

To read more about how NRES students are working to protect birds from window strikes, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences online.