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Woodcocks: City's Window Collision Victims
11 Apr
Summary
- Woodcocks are frequent victims of window collisions in major cities.
- The Bird Center of Michigan seeks volunteers in Detroit for injured birds.
- Severe eye trauma is common and often fatal for striking woodcocks.
American woodcocks are experiencing high rates of injury and fatality from striking windows, especially during their spring and fall migrations through large cities. In places like Philadelphia and Baltimore, they rank among the top species affected by these collisions. The Bird Center of Michigan is actively seeking volunteers in downtown Detroit to assist in monitoring and reporting injured woodcocks, with a significant number of cases originating from the Campus Martius area.
These birds often sustain severe head and eye trauma from window impacts, which frequently proves fatal. While some woodcocks can recover with intensive care, including medication and specialized diets, others succumb to their injuries. The woodcock's nocturnal migration habits may contribute to these collisions, as they can be disoriented by city lights and fly into glass buildings.
The Bird Center relies on public assistance for rescues and is developing data-collection initiatives. They aim to collaborate with building owners to implement solutions, such as 'lights-out' programs during peak migration times, to reduce bird-window collisions. Individuals finding injured birds are advised to carefully contain them and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
