Bird-safe glass added to UC building
Biologist tells Fox19 that glass window are a leading killer of birds
Fox19 highlighted renovations to a University of Cincinnati building that feature bird-safe glass windows.
Birds die by the hundreds of thousands each year across the United States after they fly into glass reflecting tree branches or open sky. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the problem is impacting bird populations around the globe.
The windows of Old Chem feature a pattern of dots to break up the reflection for birds. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
But as part of the $190 million renovation of Old Chem on UC’s Uptown campus, exterior windows feature a pattern of slightly opaque dots that break up the reflection and warn birds of the otherwise unseen obstacles.
UC College of Arts and Sciences biologist Ronald Canterbury has been studying bird mortality for 15 years in Greater Cincinnati. Each year he also catches and bands birds by the hundreds to monitor their populations and migration trends.
“Glass windows are the leading killer of birds. They think they're flying into a tree but it's a tree reflection and into the glass they go,“ he said. “We're losing 1.4 billion birds each year in North America just from windows.
“This is a huge step forward to reduce mortality of birds,“ he said.
UC Professor Theresa Culley said the Old Chem project could serve as a demonstration project for other businesses or institutions interested in sustainable solutions.
Biologist Ronald Canterbury sets up mist nets at UC's Center for Field Studies to catch and band songbirds. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
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