Conservationists back bird-safe buildings

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- The American Bird Conservancy says it applauds a U.S. House bill designed to prevent the deaths of millions of birds that collide with building windows.

The conservancy -- the nation's leading bird conservation organization -- said the bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., calls for every newly constructed, acquired or altered federal building to incorporate, to the maximum extent possible, bird-safe materials and design features.

The legislation requires the General Services Administration to take similar actions on existing buildings, where practicable.

"This legislation will absolutely save the lives of millions of birds that mistake objects reflected in window glass, such as habitat and sky, as real. The reflection of a tree limb looks just like a real tree limb to a bird," said ABC President George Fenwick.

"Building collisions are arguably the single greatest man-made killer of birds," Fenwick added. "From 300 million to 1 billion birds or more die each year from collisions with glass on buildings -- from skyscrapers to homes. While this legislation is limited to federal buildings, it's a very good start that perhaps can lead to more widespread applications of bird-friendly designs elsewhere."