Do lighting conditions influence bird–window collisions?

Emerson, Lauren C.; Thady, Robin G.; Robertson, Bruce A.; Swaddle, John P.

doi:10.5751/ace-02167-170203

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Many window collisions occur early in the morning ( Riding, O’Connell & Loss, 2021 ). At this time of day the relative proportion of shorter compared with longer wavelength light is at its greatest ( Emerson et al, 2022 ), hence UV-affecting products might be particularly conspicuous to birds during this period of greatest daytime collision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, to the birds it appeared that they were flying toward a building structure with two windows side-by-side. Behind each of the two framed windows, we constructed a lighting box so that the internal surfaces of each window were illuminated with artificial lighting (TaoTronics 12 W LED lamps on highest brightness setting) that were representative of residential or commercial buildings ( Emerson et al, 2022 ). In this way, we could ensure there was natural daylight on the external surface of windows and realistic artificial lighting on the interior surface.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows

Swaddle

Brewster

Schuyler

et al. 2023

PeerJ

Self Cite

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Window collisions are one of the largest human-caused causes of avian mortality in built environments and, therefore, cause population declines that can be a significant conservation issue. Applications of visibly noticeable films, patterns, and decals on the external surfaces of windows have been associated with reductions in both window collisions and avian mortality. It is often logistically difficult and economically prohibitive to apply these films and decals to external surfaces, especially if the windows are above the first floor of a building. Therefore, there is interest and incentive to apply the products to internal surfaces that are much easier to reach and maintain. However, there is debate as to whether application to the internal surface of windows renders any collision-reduction benefit, as the patterns on the films and decals may not be sufficiently visible to birds. To address this knowledge gap, we performed the first experimental study to compare the effectiveness of two distinct window films when applied to either the internal or external surface of double-glazed windows. Specifically, we assessed whether Haverkamp and BirdShades window film products were effective in promoting the avoidance of window collisions (and by inference, a reduction of collisions) by zebra finches through controlled aviary flight trials employing a repeated-measures design that allowed us to isolate the effect of the window treatments on avoidance flight behaviors. We chose these two products because they engage with different wavelengths of light (and by inference, colors) visible to many songbirds: the BirdShades film is visible in the ultraviolet (shorter wavelength) range, while the Haverkamp film includes signals in the orange (longer wavelength) range. We found consistent evidence that, when applied to the external surface of windows, the BirdShades product resulted in reduced likelihood of collision and there was marginal evidence of this effect with the Haverkamp film. Specifically, in our collision avoidance trials, BirdShades increased window avoidance by 47% and the Haverkamp increased avoidance by 39%. However, neither product was effective when the films were applied to the internal surface of windows. Hence, it is imperative that installers apply these products to exterior surfaces of windows to render their protective benefits and reduce the risk of daytime window collision.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows

Swaddle

Brewster

Schuyler

et al. 2023

PeerJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…We multiplied the resultant vector magnitude by 60 (i.e., frame rate of recordings) to yield velocity ( v ) in m/s (Eq. 1 ; Thady et al 2022 ; Emerson et al 2022 ). …”

Section: Methods—procedures Common To All Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We analyzed video recordings of each flight from each camera in Python version 3.8.3 using the open-source software package, Argus (Jackson et al 2016 ). We employed a previously established, well-utilized protocol (Jackson et al 2016 ; Emerson et al 2022 ; Thady et al 2022 ) in which we reconstructed the three-dimensional flight path of each bird. Briefly, the Argus software synchronized the frames from each camera using the sound and light cues that were recorded on each GoPro.…”

Section: Methods—procedures Common To All Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Lead (Pb) Affects Ecologically Relevant Behaviors in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Di Liberto,

Griffith,

Hall

et al. 2024

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

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Global contamination of environments with lead (Pb) poses threats to many ecosystems and populations. While exposure to Pb is toxic at high concentrations, recent literature has shown that lower concentrations can also cause sublethal, deleterious effects. However, there remains relatively little causal investigation of how exposure to lower concentrations of environmental Pb affects ecologically important behaviors. Behaviors often represent first-line responses of an organism and its internal physiological, molecular, and genetic responses to a changing environment. Hence, better understanding how behaviors are influenced by pollutants such as Pb generates crucial information on how species are coping with the effects of pollution more broadly. To better understand the effects of sublethal Pb on behavior, we chronically exposed adult wild-caught, captive house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to Pb-exposed drinking water and quantified a suite of behavioral outcomes: takeoff flight performance, activity in a novel environment, and in-hand struggling and breathing rate while being handled by an experimenter. Compared to controls (un-exposed drinking water), sparrows exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of Pb exhibited decreases in takeoff flight performance and reduced movements in a novel environment following 9–10 weeks of exposure. We interpret this suite of results to be consistent with Pb influencing fundamental neuro-muscular abilities, making it more difficult for exposed birds to mount faster movements and activities. It is likely that suppression of takeoff flight and reduced movements would increase the predation risk of similar birds in the wild; hence, we also conclude that the effects we observed could influence fitness outcomes for individuals and populations altering ecological interactions within more naturalistic settings.

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“…Controlled conditions are essential to narrow down the basic behavioral response to the lights before establishing whether such a basic response is augmented in the presences of other confounding factors. This behavioral assay process is necessary to conclude whether the chosen lights can be effective under different environmental and ecological conditions (Dominoni et al, 2020;Elmer et al, 2021;Emerson et al, 2022). Second, standardized behavioral assays provide the opportunity to examine the existence of habituation or sensitization to lighting treatments via repeated exposure to the same individuals (Blumstein, 2016;Rankin et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light wavelength and pulsing frequency affect avoidance responses of Canada geese

Lunn¹,

Baumhardt²,

Blackwell³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Collisions between birds and aircraft cause bird mortality, economic damage, and aviation safety hazards. One proposed solution to increasing the distance at which birds detect and move away from an approaching aircraft, ultimately mitigating the probability of collision, is through onboard lighting systems. Lights in vehicles have been shown to lead to earlier reactions in some bird species but they could also generate attraction, potentially increasing the probability of collision. Using information on the visual system of the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), we developed light stimuli of high chromatic contrast to their eyes. We then conducted a controlled behavioral experiment (i.e., single-choice test) to assess the avoidance or attraction responses of Canada geese to LED lights of different wavelengths (blue, 483 nm; red, 631nm) and pulsing frequencies (steady, pulsing at 2 Hz). Overall, Canada geese tended to avoid the blue light and move towards the red light treatment; however, these responses depended heavily on light exposure order. At the beginning of the experiment, geese tended to avoid the red light. However, after further exposure the birds developed an attraction to the red light, consistent with the mere exposure effect. The response to the blue light generally followed a U-shape relationship (avoidance, attraction, avoidance) with increasing number of exposures, again consistent with the mere exposure effect, but followed by the satiation effect. Lights pulsing at 2 Hz enhanced avoidance responses under high ambient light conditions, whereas steady lights enhanced avoidance responses under dim, ambient light conditions. Our results have implications for the design of lighting systems aimed at mitigating collisions between birds and human objects. LED lights in the blue portion of the spectrum are good candidates for deterrents and lights in the red portion of the spectrum may be counterproductive given the attraction effects with increasing exposure, and consideration should be given to systems that automatically modify pulsing of the light depending on ambient light intensity to enhance avoidance.

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Do lighting conditions influence bird–window collisions?

Cited by 5 publications

References 33 publications

Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows

Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows

Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Lead (Pb) Affects Ecologically Relevant Behaviors in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Light wavelength and pulsing frequency affect avoidance responses of Canada geese

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