Bird Collisions

How to Keep Birds Safe from Collisions

Download a “Keep Birds Safe Near Your Home” flyer produced by the Alaska Zoo (PDF).

Flyer page 1:

Flyer Page 2:

Impacts and Actions

Species often involved in collisions in Alaska (list not inclusive of all species, these are more common):

  • Red-breasted nuthatch

  • White-winged crossbill (read this ADF&G article)

  • Pigeon

  • Black-capped Chickadee

  • Red-Poll

  • Pine Siskin

  • Dark-eyed Junco

  • Raptors like Great Horned Owls, Goshawks and Merlins

Here are numbers from Bird Treatment and Learning Center for collision intakes for select years. They note that they often receive the worst of collisions, but not those birds who have died on the scene. They are not represented in this data. They also do not have data on collisions where the bird revives itself and flies away.

  • 2023: 41 birds (28 confirmed windowstrike, 13 suspected/found near window). Species: White-winged Crossbill, American Robin, Common Redpoll, Dark-eyed Junco, Bohemian Waxwing, Hermit Thrush

  • 2022: 60 birds (45 confirmed windowstrike, 15 suspected/found near window). Species: Bohemian Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, Merlin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Swainson's Thrush, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow Warbler

  • 2021: 35 birds (29 confirmed windowstrike, 6 suspected/found near window). Species: Bohemian Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Merlin, Varied Thrush, Yellow Warbler

Visit our page for instructions on what to do if you see wildlife or birds who may need help. Never directly intervene as this can have a bad outcome for both humans and wildlife or birds. The zoo only intakes animals brought from agency biologists or permitted by agencies. Review what to do!

Alaska Zoo Window Treatment Project to Prevent Collisions

In the spring of 2025, the Alaska Zoo is teaming up with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Birds and Feather Friendly to apply new bird collision window films to the most collision prone area of the zoo’s grounds - the Gateway Building. This building is located outside of the zoo entrance and houses the Gateway Lecture Hall and Event Space upstairs, the Education Classroom downstairs and the Gift Shop. This building is surrounded by windows and has long been a concern for bird collisions. Through grant funds, the zoo staff will be applying film to the windows to reduce collisions. The zoo also plans to use film on the windows at the snow leopard habitat, another collision prone area, in the near future. The above graphic a sign made by the zoo to inform visitors at the entrance about our involvement and commitment to bird safety through collision reduction. The zoo has active Tree Swallow and Violet-green Swallow nesting colonies in several areas of the grounds, including at the zoo entrance near the Gateway Building. We are committed to being a home for resident injured birds, but also for wild birds who migrate through and live in our 28-acre boreal forest habitat.

Alaska Zoo Hosts Annual World Migratory Bird Day

Join us at the Alaska Zoo on May 10th, 2025 from 10am-6pm for our annual World Migratory Bird Day event, an annual tradition at the zoo for over two decades. We will have information to hand out at the zoo gate, signs around the zoo for bird ID and a collisions scavenger hunt. We will also have bird talks at scheduled times.

World Migratory Bird Day 2025

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities

World Migratory Bird Day Unveils 2025 Theme Focused on Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is happy to announce the theme for the 2025 global campaign will be dedicated to creating bird-friendly cities and communities. Next year’s campaign will highlight the need for a healthy coexistence between humans and birds. It will focus on creating and adapting environments that support migratory bird populations across all communities, from rural farmlands to sprawling suburbs and bustling cities. There are actions everyone can take to protect our shared spaces with wildlife.

In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.

Key Messages and Conservation Efforts

WMBD 2025 will emphasize that every community—urban to rural—can play a significant role in supporting migratory birds. By adopting bird-friendly practices like creating healthy habitats, reducing pollution, and preventing collisions with glass windows and other built objects, communities can significantly contribute to the well-being of migratory birds.

Urban expansion and man-made environments, if not managed properly, pose significant threats to these birds, leading to habitat loss and increasing the risks like fatal collisions with buildings and glass. Through collaborative efforts with neighbors, schools, and local organizations, everyone can protect birds and raise awareness about their importance to the health of the planet and its ecosystems. By bringing nature back into our cities and working together, we can help our natural environments and lessen the negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity.

Read more about World Migratory Bird Day here.

Other Resources:

Check out the findings, recommendations and links which came from a meeting held by Alaska Wildlife Alliance and Bird Treatment and Learning Center on March 18th, 2025. Click here.