Chicago buildings pose a big threat to migrating birds

A dead bird outside McCormick Place Lakeside Center on Friday. Bird advocates are pushing for nonreflective windows that are safer for birds, who are less likely to be attracted to them while passing through the city on their migration south.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Chicago buildings pose an increasing threat to migrating birds

Over a thousand birds died after flying into McCormick Place in a single day.

A dead bird outside McCormick Place Lakeside Center on Friday. Bird advocates are pushing for nonreflective windows that are safer for birds, who are less likely to be attracted to them while passing through the city on their migration south.

Pat Nabong

By Brenda Ruiz

Bird enthusiasts expect a high-intensity migration, but weather conditions are pushing many small birds to soar low to the ground, putting them at risk of running into Chicago’s many buildings. In a single day last week, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors picked up a thousand birds that had died after crashing into McCormick Place.

Reset learns more about why birds are at risk and what can be done to support their migration south.

GUESTS: Stephanie Beilke, senior manager in conservation science, Audubon Great Lakes

Douglas Stotz, ornithologist, Field Museum

Annette Prince, director, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors