Migrating Birds Need Your Help!

Indigo Bunting

Spring migration is in full swing. Billions of birds are moving across the continent. Millions fly through Chicagoland. Unfortunately many don't make their final destination as glass windows and city night lights cause disorientation and even death.

If you find an injured bird in Chicagoland call the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors right away at 773 988 1867.

Today as I sat at work typing on the computer, a Yellow-Bellied Sap Sucker (woodpecker) flew into my window. I called the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors when I found him (a male) clinging to the side of the brick building (in the alley). After a minute he flew away into an evergreen tree. Although woodpeckers have particularly hard heads he could have had a concussion.

Yellow-bellied Sap Sucker

One woodpecker may not seem like a big deal, but last year the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors recovered over 6,000 injured or dead birds. In the United States alone a billion migrating birds are killed in one year, mainly due to collisions with glass windows.

In 2004 Chicago became the first U.S. city to go dark during Spring and Fall migration. The Chicago Bird Collision Monitor organization has made tremendous efforts and accomplishments in keeping birds alive and safe during migration.

If you find an injured bird in Chicagoland please call them right away at 773 988 1867.