Geographical Information Systems: Abundance of Bird Strikes in Chicago is Influenced by Building Height and Luminosity
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-9-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-9-2026 3:15 PM
Description of Program
This presentation will offer a look into abundance of fatal bird strikes in Chicago, utilizing data collected over a 40-year period by David Willard from the Field Museum of Chicago. Longitude/latitude data was collected on each bird, and that information was used to pin the location in a Geographic Information System (GIS).
Abstract
The city of Chicago is located on a migratory fly zone known as the Mississippi Flyway, where millions of birds migrate through in Spring and Fall. Collisions with buildings lead to serious injuries, and often death. Birds are disoriented from the light pollution emitted by the city and illusioned by reflective glass surfaces on buildings during the day. Weather conditions such as wind speeds and cloud cover may also contribute to the number of bird strikes that occur in the city. I predict that the height of building and luminosity will increase the rate of bird strikes. Specifically, I hypothesize that more dead birds will be found at the base of tall buildings, proximity to Lake Michigan, and buildings with bright lights. Data for this investigation includes bird specimens collected over a 40-year period by David Willard with Field Museum of Chicago. The geocoordinates of each bird were included as a data layer in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Additional data layer includes: 3-dimenation models for the City of Chicago, positioning of the buildings and Lake Michigan, luminosity levels, and major transportation routes. Migration paths were detected using Doppler radar. Investigations that suggest light pollution increases the amount of fatal bird collisions has driven efforts such as the “Lights Out” initiative, a program which encourages building managers or owners to dim or extinguish exterior lights during peak migration times in Spring and Fall as a way to decrease light pollution.
Identify Grant
Funded in part by the NSF Optimization Computing Grant
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. John Yunger
Geographical Information Systems: Abundance of Bird Strikes in Chicago is Influenced by Building Height and Luminosity
University Library
The city of Chicago is located on a migratory fly zone known as the Mississippi Flyway, where millions of birds migrate through in Spring and Fall. Collisions with buildings lead to serious injuries, and often death. Birds are disoriented from the light pollution emitted by the city and illusioned by reflective glass surfaces on buildings during the day. Weather conditions such as wind speeds and cloud cover may also contribute to the number of bird strikes that occur in the city. I predict that the height of building and luminosity will increase the rate of bird strikes. Specifically, I hypothesize that more dead birds will be found at the base of tall buildings, proximity to Lake Michigan, and buildings with bright lights. Data for this investigation includes bird specimens collected over a 40-year period by David Willard with Field Museum of Chicago. The geocoordinates of each bird were included as a data layer in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Additional data layer includes: 3-dimenation models for the City of Chicago, positioning of the buildings and Lake Michigan, luminosity levels, and major transportation routes. Migration paths were detected using Doppler radar. Investigations that suggest light pollution increases the amount of fatal bird collisions has driven efforts such as the “Lights Out” initiative, a program which encourages building managers or owners to dim or extinguish exterior lights during peak migration times in Spring and Fall as a way to decrease light pollution.