Georgia Audubon
  • Home
    • Login
  • Ways to Give
    • Join/Renew
    • Donate
    • Wish List
    • Leadership Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Shop in our Online Store
    • Support Georgia Audubon When You Shop
  • Conservation
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife Sanctuary Program >
      • Map of Georgia Audubon Sanctuaries
      • Wildlife Sanctuary Requirements
      • Sanctuary Resources
    • Habitat Stewardship Program
    • Habitat Restoration >
      • Piedmont Park Exhibitat
    • Building Collisions >
      • Project Safe Flight
      • Lights Out Georgia
      • Collision Resources
    • Species of Concern >
      • Chuck-will's-widow
      • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
      • Chimney Swift
      • Wood Thrush
      • Brown-headed Nuthatch
    • Plants for Birds >
      • Plant Sales
    • Coffee and Chocolate
  • Education
    • For Youth >
      • Georgia Urban Ecologists
      • Homeschool
      • Scouts
      • Youth Birding Competition
      • Camp Talon
      • Conservation Career Resources
    • For Educators >
      • School Programs
      • Learning About Birds Curriculum
      • Professional Development
      • Connecting Students with STEM Through Birds
      • Resources
    • Master Birder Program
    • Scholarships
  • Engagement
    • Field Trips
    • Injured/Orphaned Birds
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Code of Conduct
    • Advocacy
    • Community Outreach
    • Beloved Naturalist
    • Travel >
      • SE Arizona 2023
      • Michigan 2023
      • Maine 2023
      • Utah 2023
      • Madagascar 2023
      • Southern California 2024
      • Costa Rica 2024
      • Big Bend & Hill Country TX 2024
      • Colorado 2024
    • Community Science
    • Birding Resources >
      • Birding Sites in Georgia
      • Accessibility
      • Georgia Birding Network
      • Why Birds?
  • News & Events
    • Press Room >
      • In the News
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Program Participant Safety
    • Georgia Bird Fest
    • News Feed
    • Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month
    • Georgia Audubon at Manuel's Tavern
    • Early Birds Book Club
    • Newsletters
  • About Us
    • Mission and Programs
    • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Board and Staff
    • Best Management Practices
    • Job Opportunities
    • Our History
    • Contact or Visit Us

Project Safe Flight 

Birds killed in window collisions in Atlanta. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Project Safe Flight is a conservation effort to further understand the issue of bird/building collisions in the Atlanta metro area. The goal of this project is to determine what species are colliding with buildings, how many birds are affected, what parts of town are problematic, and what can be done to make Atlanta a more bird-friendly city.
​
Volunteers with Georgia Audubon’s Project Safe Flight patrol the streets during both spring and fall migration, looking for birds that have been killed or injured after colliding with buildings. More than 2,200 birds, representing 115 different species, have been collected since monitoring began in fall 2015. Ruby-throated Hummingbird continue to be the most collected species.
Georgia Audubon produced this video to educate people about bird-building collisions and ways to help thanks to a generous grant from the Disney Conservation Fund.

Migration

PictureRed-eyed Vireo that collided with a building but was later released. Photo by Adam Betuel.
Migration is one of the most amazing feats in the natural world. Millions and millions of birds take to the skies, dodging predators, burning fat stores, and following the ever changing weather patterns as they press on towards their breeding grounds in the spring or winter havens in the fall. The setting sun and stars guide them as they soar through the night, some stopping along their ingrained routes to refuel. This journey is long and difficult and a relatively new threat has emerged and may be the most dangerous of all--buildings.

Current research estimates that between 365 million and 1 billion birds perish each year from colliding with buildings in the United States. Bright lights at night can disorientate migrating birds causing them to crash into structures or “trap” them in beams of light leading to exhaustion. Birds also struggle with reflective surfaces during the day as they stop and feed or rest. Shiny glass exteriors, internal plants near windows, glass corners, and lots of greenery close to buildings all can be deadly as birds struggle determining what is and isn’t a reflection and where there are open flyways.

Dangerous Passage


Atlanta was ranked the 9th most dangerous city in the U.S. for birds during spring migration, and 4th in the fall, according to 2019 study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  The Cornell study ranked metropolitan areas where, due to a combination of light pollution and geography, birds are at the greatest risk of becoming attracted to and disoriented by lights and crashing into buildings. The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. It combined satellite data showing light pollution levels with weather radar measuring bird migration density. Chicago, Houston, and Dallas ranked one through three during both fall and spring migration. Because many birds alter their migration routes between spring and fall, rankings of the most-dangerous cities change slightly with the season, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

View Current Collision Forecasts

Making Buildings Safer for migrating Birds

​Thanks to generous grants from the Disney Conservation Fund and the Georgia Ornithological Society, Georgia Audubon has been treating Atlanta-area buildings and nature centers with a special film that breaks up reflection and helps birds avoid collisions. This not only saves birds but also serves as an opportunity to educate the people who visit these buildings about the problem of bird-building collisions and show them that there are many easy solutions to this problem.

To date, Georgia Audubon has treated eight buildings, including the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, the Melvin L. Newman Wetlands Center, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, the Southface Institute, the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor’s Center, Elachee Nature Science Center, the Northwoods Pavilion  at Dunwoody Nature Center, and the Sandra Deal Learning Center at Camp Jekyll. The film installations were funded through a generous grant from the Disney Conservation Fund. 

What Can You Do?

Become a volunteer monitor. We Need Your Help! ​
Georgia Audubon needs people to help us monitor for window collisions. This entails walking an early morning, pre-determined route around select structures, taking notes on collisions, collecting dead birds for scientific purposes (Georgia Audubon has all necessary permits), and occasionally helping injured birds. Monitoring season runs from March 15 to May 15 and from August 15 to November 30 each year.  If interested please email Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation. 
SIGN THe lights out pledge
Sign the Lights Out Pledge and join other commercial and residential homeowners in pledging to reduce outdoor lighting to protect birds during peak migration period. Click here to learn more or sign the Lights Out  pledge. ​
Report incidental findings
Report incidental findings. In addition to the formal surveys, we are encouraging everyone to document any incidental finding of a window collision of other bird deaths by submitting them to the D-Bird database.  D-Bird is an online crowd-sourcing data collection tool designed by New York City Audubon. This data allows for greater coverage across Georgia and helps provide context and guidance for future monitoring efforts. Whether at home, work, or out shopping, please report any avian collision victim you encounter. 
Spread the Word
​Many people are unaware of the issue with bird-building collisions. Educate others, recruit volunteers monitors, speak with your supervisors or building managers if you believe your workplace is an avian hazard, or help connect Georgia Audubon with builders and architects.

Tips for making your residence bird-safe

PictureThis Ovenbird was a lucky survivor and was released at a safe location. Photo by Adam Betuel.
 Nearly half of all window collisions occur at residences. There are many ways to make sure your home and your bird feeders are safe places for birds to visit.
  • Placing your feeders at a safe distance (greater than 30 feet or less than 3 feet away from windows).
  • Move large houseplants away from windows where strikes are common
  • Apply window treatments to problem windows to help reduce/prevent collisions. Here are some resources. 
    • American Bird Conservancy’s bird-friendly window solutions 
    • Make your windows bird-safe (pdf)
    • Georgia Audubon Bird Safe homes flyer (pdf)

There are many commercial products available for residential use. Here are a few that our Georgia Audubon members have successfully used at their residences (see photos below):
  • Feather Friendly
  • CollidEscape - permanent and guaranteed window treatment solutions. Georgia Audubon members can receive a 10% discount on window treatment purchases. 
  • ​Acopian Bird Savers

Or try these Do-It-Yourself Solutions:
  • Use tape to create stripes on outside of window: 1/8 inch vertical white tape, 4” apart.
  • Use UV Paint pens
  • Use Tempera paint stencils
  • Instructions on making your own Acopian BirdSavers

Finally, pledge to reduce outdoor lighting to help ensure safe passage for migrating birds by signing the Lights Out Georgia pledge. We'll send out email and social media alerts on nights of peak migratory activity.  Click here to learn more about bird migration and see how many birds are moving over Georgia each evening 


injured birds

Fortunately, not all birds who collide with windows/buildings die. Many birds are found stunned and can be released in a safer location after they have had time to recuperate. Some individuals, however, are not releasable and would perish if left alone. Georgia Audubon is not licensed to receive or care for injured birds. 

​
If you find a bird that has been injured, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators that is searchable by county. You may also want to contact one of the rehabilitators listed below.
​
Picture
Roswell, GA
​Birds of prey, reptiles, & amphibians only
Picture
Lithonia, GA
Picture
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Audubon thanks the following partners

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
825 Warner St. SW
Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30310​678-973-2437
Georgia Audubon is a member-supported, 501c3 nonprofit organization building places where birds and people thrive. We create bird-friendly communities through conservation, education, and community engagement.
About Us | Donate | Join | Login to my account | ​Shop
Picture
Ask Chippy Your Bird Related Questions
  • Home
    • Login
  • Ways to Give
    • Join/Renew
    • Donate
    • Wish List
    • Leadership Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Shop in our Online Store
    • Support Georgia Audubon When You Shop
  • Conservation
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife Sanctuary Program >
      • Map of Georgia Audubon Sanctuaries
      • Wildlife Sanctuary Requirements
      • Sanctuary Resources
    • Habitat Stewardship Program
    • Habitat Restoration >
      • Piedmont Park Exhibitat
    • Building Collisions >
      • Project Safe Flight
      • Lights Out Georgia
      • Collision Resources
    • Species of Concern >
      • Chuck-will's-widow
      • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
      • Chimney Swift
      • Wood Thrush
      • Brown-headed Nuthatch
    • Plants for Birds >
      • Plant Sales
    • Coffee and Chocolate
  • Education
    • For Youth >
      • Georgia Urban Ecologists
      • Homeschool
      • Scouts
      • Youth Birding Competition
      • Camp Talon
      • Conservation Career Resources
    • For Educators >
      • School Programs
      • Learning About Birds Curriculum
      • Professional Development
      • Connecting Students with STEM Through Birds
      • Resources
    • Master Birder Program
    • Scholarships
  • Engagement
    • Field Trips
    • Injured/Orphaned Birds
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Code of Conduct
    • Advocacy
    • Community Outreach
    • Beloved Naturalist
    • Travel >
      • SE Arizona 2023
      • Michigan 2023
      • Maine 2023
      • Utah 2023
      • Madagascar 2023
      • Southern California 2024
      • Costa Rica 2024
      • Big Bend & Hill Country TX 2024
      • Colorado 2024
    • Community Science
    • Birding Resources >
      • Birding Sites in Georgia
      • Accessibility
      • Georgia Birding Network
      • Why Birds?
  • News & Events
    • Press Room >
      • In the News
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Program Participant Safety
    • Georgia Bird Fest
    • News Feed
    • Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month
    • Georgia Audubon at Manuel's Tavern
    • Early Birds Book Club
    • Newsletters
  • About Us
    • Mission and Programs
    • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Board and Staff
    • Best Management Practices
    • Job Opportunities
    • Our History
    • Contact or Visit Us