Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe , May 9 (UPI) -- LIGHTS OUT McCormick place is a huge structure with lots of windows that have been, by tradition, illuminated at night. Advertisement While it might look real nice, the bird population suffers a great deal from the sight. Birds flying at night depend a great deal on stars for navigation. They are, after all, bird brains, and can be confused easily. Turning lights off at McCormick Place reduced the number of dead birds found during the migration season by up to 88 percent. There were windows that were lighted and others that were dark. For all the days counted, 1,297 birds died from hitting lighted windows while only 192 birds died from hitting dark windows.(Either because the lights were out or heavy drapes were drawn). Even with adjustments for light, dark and draped windows, the overall reduction was 83 percent. In any event, that's a lot of migratory birds saved. Migratory birds are not only the desire of hunters, but play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling various insect populations, cross pollenating plants and providing a food source for predators, helping keep nature in a delicate balance. Advertisement The bird study was funded by the Field Museum of Chicago. Send your ideas and comments to [email protected]
