9 replies to this topic

[zoutedrop]

I am a fan of National Geographic.  Just about every issue has some birding in it.  In the May 2011 issue:

A clear danger.........  This spring Chicago's Willis Tower, New York's Rockefeller Center, and dozens of other buildings in some 15 U.S. cities and Toronto will scale back their lights overnight for the benefit of migrating birds.  The reason?  Avian collisions with windows are costing millions of lives.  Each year in Canada and the U.S. more than 100 million birds suffer run-ins with glass.  The fliers -- can't distinguish reflections from reality and get disoriented at night by lights, especially during spring and fall migrations.  The danger isn't limited to urban areas or tall buildings; homes actually account for the bulk of bird strikes.  Fortunately, prevention measures like reduced lighting and window patterns are on the rise.  If they succeed, more birds might successfully reach their destinations.  

We are disinfecting the planet.

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[Photgog]

Is there an evaluation of the species of birds that are having these collisions???   If they are Doves and Pigeons mostly then the collisions with buildings might be a good thing.

Fraser

[raptrlvr]

My wife works at the local airport here in Southwestern New Mexico. The area is serviced {Great Lakes Airlines} by a twin prop 19 seater that flies between Albuquerque and Silver City New Mexico 2 times a day. Last year when the plane landed and my wife was unloading the passengers she noticed something on the side of the nose of the plane. She got her cell phone out and took this picture. The plane was grounded until the mechanics checked it out to make sure there were no structural leaks. Don't know what kind of bird it was.

 

This is the plane and that is my wife instructing the pilot to head for the runway for take off.

 

[Harrier]

Photgog:

Is there an evaluation of the species of birds that are having these collisions???   If they are Doves and Pigeons mostly then the collisions with buildings might be a good thing.

Fraser

 Many of the birds are migrant songbirds. You can learn more at this website: http://www.flap.org/ 

[Photgog]

raptrlvr:

My wife works at the local airport here in Southwestern New Mexico. The area is serviced {Great Lakes Airlines} by a twin prop 19 seater that flies between Albuquerque and Silver City New Mexico 2 times a day. Last year when the plane landed and my wife was unloading the passengers she noticed something on the side of the nose of the plane. She got her cell phone out and took this picture. The plane was grounded until the mechanics checked it out to make sure there were no structural leaks. Don't know what kind of bird it was.

 

This is the plane and that is my wife instructing the pilot to head for the runway for take off.

 

That is an incredible photo... with this detail... it seems like someone would be able to identify the bird.

Fraser

[Photgog]

Harrier:

Photgog:

Is there an evaluation of the species of birds that are having these collisions???   If they are Doves and Pigeons mostly then the collisions with buildings might be a good thing.

Fraser

 Many of the birds are migrant songbirds. You can learn more at this website: http://www.flap.org/ 

I'm all in favor of saving our songbirds/warblers... I'm less enthusiastic about the Doves and Pigeons (many of which are invaders).  I have not yet read the website article...

Fraser

[Photgog]

raptrlvr:

My wife works at the local airport here in Southwestern New Mexico. The area is serviced {Great Lakes Airlines} by a twin prop 19 seater that flies between Albuquerque and Silver City New Mexico 2 times a day. Last year when the plane landed and my wife was unloading the passengers she noticed something on the side of the nose of the plane. She got her cell phone out and took this picture. The plane was grounded until the mechanics checked it out to make sure there were no structural leaks. Don't know what kind of bird it was.

 

This is the plane and that is my wife instructing the pilot to head for the runway for take off.

 

RapterLover... Why not put this photo up on the ID Thread for Identification.

Fraser

[Harrier]

Photgog:

Harrier:

Photgog:

Is there an evaluation of the species of birds that are having these collisions???   If they are Doves and Pigeons mostly then the collisions with buildings might be a good thing.

Fraser

 Many of the birds are migrant songbirds. You can learn more at this website: http://www.flap.org/ 

I'm all in favor of saving our songbirds/warblers... I'm less enthusiastic about the Doves and Pigeons (many of which are invaders).  I have not yet read the website article...

Fraser

 

"Over 100 different species of birds have collided with buildings in Toronto alone. One expert estimates that across North America, up to 100 million birds die in collisions each year. Many species that collide frequently are known to be in long-term decline and some are already designated officially as threatened."

Please browse FLAP's website. Non-migratory Rock Pigeons don't often hit buildings, but these are warblers, flickers, grosbeaks, and sparrows, many of which are already being threatened. 

I assume by doves you mean Rock Pigeons, rather than native Mourning, or White-winged Doves. 

[zoutedrop]

If the bird doesn't hit a building, it might get eaten.  Also from National Geographic, In order of numbers eaten per year...

1) chicken (52 billion per year, half of these are raised in Liam's backyard)

2) ducks

3) pig

4) rabbit

5) turkey

So three of the top 5 animals eaten are birds.  

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[Bird Brain]

Matt:

If the bird doesn't hit a building, it might get eaten.  Also from National Geographic, In order of numbers eaten per year...

1) chicken (52 billion per year, half of these are raised in Liam's backyard)

2) ducks

3) pig

4) rabbit

5) turkey

So three of the top 5 animals eaten are birds.  

Impressive stats, Matt......especially the number of chickens raised in Liams back yard!!