Chicago's "Lights Out" push could save thousands of birds
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Not completely dark after 11pm. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Chicago doesn't have to become a graveyard for migratory birds every spring. There's a simple solution to save these seasonal visitors.
The big picture: Chicago's Lights Out Campaign encourages buildings 40 floors and higher to turn off their lights from 11pm until sunrise.
- The lights throw off the birds' navigation, leading them to swarm and die from exhaustion or slam into the buildings.
Why it matters: Chicago is often considered the deadliest city in the U.S. for migratory birds as millions pass through the city each season, Chicago Bird Alliance's Annette Prince tells Axios.
- Each year, Prince and other advocates find more than 8,000 dead or injured birds in a square mile of downtown, and that's only about one-tenth of the birds that actually hit buildings, Prince adds.
How it works: Chicago launched the Lights Out Campaign in 1995 and had about 90% participation from office and residential buildings, Prince says.
Yes, but: The effort leans heavily on the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) to distribute information to residents. (I live on the 27th floor of a 40-floor and have never heard of the campaign.)
- If you do come across an injured or dead bird, contact Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, who can pick up the carcasses and get care for the hurt ones.
How to help: Install motion sensors or put lights on a timer.
- For outdoor lights needed for safety, direct the light downward.
- Office buildings can schedule cleaning crews during daylight or early evening hours.
- Draw curtains or blinds to reduce light escaping.
What's next: Lights Out runs from March 15 to June 15, but Prince says it's helpful anytime of year to kill the lights.
What they're saying: "They're like tourists that are traveling through our location. We want them to have a safe and happy visit. We want them to be able to move on to their next destination," she says.