"Bird Wings Are Broken" The 'Sky Roadkill' Causing Bird Deaths, How Can We Prevent It? [Hello? Animal]

Annual Bird Deaths Reach 8 Million Due to Window Collisions
Serious Issue for Animal Welfare and Ecosystem Conservation... Many Endangered Species Found Dead
Environmental Groups: "Major Ecological Problem... Local Governments Must Take Active Measures"

Bird carcasses found in front of Ewha Womans University ECC on September 30 last year. Identified as three individuals of the Siberian Rubythroat and one individual of the Scarlet-faced Liocichla. Photo by Window Strike Monitoring Team

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Every year, numerous birds lose their lives by colliding with glass windows. This is why glass windows are often described as deadly barriers for birds flying in the sky.

As the use of glass exterior walls in buildings increases for aesthetics and a sense of openness, incidents of birds colliding and dying have occurred. According to a 2019 survey by the Ministry of Environment on wild bird collisions with transparent windows, it was found that up to 8 million birds die annually from collisions with transparent windows.

Glass window collisions occur due to the combination of birds' vision and the characteristics of glass. Birds have eyes located on the sides of their heads, which reduces their ability to judge distances ahead and analyze obstacle distances. When combined with the transparency and reflectivity of glass, birds may fail to recognize the glass or perceive it as part of the natural environment, increasing the risk of collision. Birds fly at speeds of 36 to 72 km/h, so collisions with glass walls can cause severe injuries or death.

Therefore, this issue is pointed out as one that must be addressed seriously from the perspective of ecosystem conservation. Many endangered species, such as the goshawk and the long-tailed flycatcher, are among the birds dying from transparent window collisions. Above all, there is a growing call to establish measures against glass window collisions from an animal welfare standpoint.

◆ Despite Ministry of Environment's Measures, "Difficult to Enforce on Private Property"

In 2019, the Ministry of Environment established the "Bird Transparent Window Collision Reduction Measures" to reduce bird collisions with transparent windows. New soundproof walls are required to minimize the installation of transparent soundproof walls, and when installed, patterns spaced at intervals recognizable by birds must be applied to prevent collisions. The ministry is also pushing to revise related regulations to mandate these bird collision prevention measures. Additionally, a "Bird Collision Reduction Guideline" was prepared to enable collision reduction measures during the design of soundproof walls or buildings.

However, there are still concerns that there is no way to prevent bird collisions with existing buildings. While guidelines can be provided for new buildings, it is considered insufficient to force collision prevention construction on already installed transparent soundproof walls and building glass windows.

Therefore, opinions have been raised that reduction measures should first be implemented on some national and public buildings. The Window Strike Monitoring (Window) team, a campus club at Ewha Womans University that has been recording bird glass collisions, pointed out in a "citizen proposal" to Seoul City on August 27 last year, "More than half of the recorded damage cases in Seoul occur at buildings. However, most buildings are private property, so local governments face limitations in carrying out construction," and proposed implementing reduction measures on some national and public buildings where construction is relatively easier.

The Window team urged, "Please take measures so that the living beings coexisting with us do not face death without any reason."

Soundproof wall on Local Road No. 649 in Seosan-si, Chungnam, equipped with new collision prevention stickers. Photo by Green Korea United

◆ "In Reality, More Birds Die Than Statistics Show... Local Governments Must Act Proactively"

Environmental groups emphasized the seriousness of bird collisions with glass windows.

Park Eun-jung, head of the Nature Ecology Team at Green Korea United, said, "(The Ministry of Environment's) annual death toll of 8 million birds is actually a very conservative estimate. In reality, more birds die." She pointed out, "Bird collisions with glass windows are not just about the death of a single bird but harm the entire ecosystem. Especially during the breeding season, if the mother bird dies, the remaining chicks also die." Green Korea United has been working to solve the bird glass collision problem through continuous monitoring and campaigns to attach bird collision prevention stickers on glass walls.

She added, "The problem with transparent soundproof walls is easier to solve. Local governments or managing entities can designate ordinances and provide budgets to install collision reduction soundproof walls or apply stickers from the initial installation." However, "For private buildings, it is difficult to take measures after construction, so improving the 'Green Building Certification' system could be a solution. Currently, this system in Korea mostly focuses on energy aspects, but overseas, it also certifies bird collision prevention measures," she suggested.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.