GALVESTON – Many birds were making their way to the Texas Gulf Coast after flying over the Gulf of Mexico. However, a storm forced them lower and they crashed into the tallest building in Galveston.
Hundreds of birds flew into a high-rise building in downtown Galveston during a severe storm on Wednesday night. Many were killed when they crashed into the building’s mirrored or clear windows. By Thursday morning, the animal control supervisor for the Galveston police had counted 395 dead birds.
The supervisor, Josh Henderson, said that this was the largest event like this he had been a part of in over 10 years. He also mentioned that it was a tough reminder for bird-friendly lighting and design. According to Houston Audubon, hundreds of dead birds were found at the scene. It is estimated that up to a billion birds die each year from collisions with glass windows. This makes it clear that there is a need for change in order to protect these animals.
The bird deaths in Galveston may have been different from most such collisions, which often happen during the day when a bird tries to fly through a closed or mirrored window. Nighttime collisions are rare, according to Richard Gibbons, conservation director for Houston Audubon. Gibbons said the birds fly at night to take advantage of the cooler air, get bearings by the north star and avoid predators. The birds normally fly at 1,000 feet to 5,000 feet.
Houston Audubon’s Sarah Flournoy said that the birds were migrating from Central and South America to nesting grounds farther north and that the Houston area is a good place for migratory flocks to stop and rest. She believes that the lights on the building may have confused the birds, leading to their unfortunate collision. Gibbons said that the building owner is not to blame.
As a bird conservation organization, we need to set up an alert system to notify building owners when bad weather is striking during the spring migration. This will help protect the birds from being killed by flying into the buildings’ lights.
The biggest threat to night-migrating birds is communication towers, which kill about 7 million birds a year that fly into their lights. The problem can be remedied by replacing steady-burning lights with flashing lights, the conservancy says. Flashing lights are less likely to attract birds because they don’t resemble the stars or moon that birds use for navigation. The conservancy also recommends that communication towers be placed in areas where there are already other tall structures, such as buildings so that the lights don’t stand out as much.
Homeowners who notice bird strikes can put materials on windows to help birds avoid a crash, said Flournoy.
High-rise buildings can also be designed with birds in mind, using less reflective materials or angling windows to alleviate bird injuries, said Flournoy.
A large number of birds died after crashing into a building in Galveston. Henderson, the building’s maintenance supervisor, arrived on the scene shortly after receiving a call about the incident. He was unprepared for the hundreds of dead birds that were collected by the staff and dumped into a trash barrel.
The Henderson counted 25 species of birds, including 90 Nashville Warblers, 41 Ovenbirds, and 21 American Redstart. Typically, window strikes involve a handful of birds. However, the recent incident resulted in the deaths of hundreds of birds.
The dead birds will be sent to Louisiana State University and Texas A&M University for DNA and genetic testing. This will help researchers learn more about the birds and their migration patterns. The birds will not be simply disposed of but will be used to further scientific knowledge.
“These birds will be assessed and examined through the Audubon Society to determine the health of the birds prior to their demise as there are countless streams of data that will help conservation efforts for these species,” he said.
The Wildlife Center of Texas in Houston took in three birds that had survived Wednesday. The birds were reportedly doing well.
Injured wildlife can be reported through the Galveston Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 409-765-3702 or any local animal control department.
Bird Control
Birds can be a nuisance, especially when they congregate in large numbers and nest on or near your property. Bird control is the process of deterring birds from landing, perching, or nesting on structures or other areas where they are not welcome. There are a number of different methods that can be used to achieve this, including:
-Hazing: This involves using loud noises, bright lights, or water sprays to scare birds away.
-Exclusion: This involves using physical barriers such as netting, spikes, or wire mesh to keep birds from landing on an area.
-Repellents: This involves using chemicals, smells, or tastes that deter birds from an area.
-Destruction of nests: This involves removing bird nests from an area to discourage birds from returning.
The most effective method of bird control will depend on the species of bird, the size and location of the problem area, and the level of a nuisance the birds are causing. For more information on how to control birds, contact your local animal control department or a wildlife conservation group.
Bird Damage
Birds can damage your property in a number of ways, including nesting materials that can clog gutters and drains, causing water damage to your home or business. Bird droppings can stain and damage building materials, outdoor furniture, and cars. Birds can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, such as the West Nile virus and avian influenza. Birds can damage crops and property, causing economic losses for farmers and other landowners.
If you are experiencing problems with birds, contact your local animal control department or a wildlife conservation group for more information on how to resolve the issue.
Bird Diseases
Bird dropping and urine can cause stains and damage to building materials, outdoor furniture, and cars. Birds can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, such as the West Nile virus and avian influenza.
If you come into contact with bird droppings or urine, wash the area with soap and water. If you are cleaning up a large number of bird droppings, wear gloves and a mask to avoid breathing in dust particles. Dispose of any contaminated materials in a plastic bag and put it in the trash.
If you think you may have been exposed to a bird disease, contact your doctor or the local health department.
What To Do If You Find a Dead Bird
If you find a dead bird, do not handle it with your bare hands. Use gloves or a plastic bag to pick up the bird. Place the bird in a trash bag and tie it closed. Dispose of the bag in a trash can or dumpster. If you do not have gloves or a plastic bag, you can use a shovel to scoop up the bird and place it in a trash can or dumpster.
Wildlife Control Professional
If you have a bird problem that you cannot solve on your own, you may need to hire a wildlife control professional. Wildlife control professionals are trained in resolving human-wildlife conflicts and can provide a variety of services, including:
-Inspect your property to identify the problem and recommend a course of action.
-Exclusion techniques to keep birds from returning.
-Removal of bird nests and droppings.
-Cleaning and disinfecting areas affected by birds.
-Providing long-term solutions to prevent future problems.
When choosing a wildlife control professional, make sure to:
-Choose a licensed and insured company.
-Ask for references and check them out.
-Make sure the company uses humane methods of wildlife control.
AAAC Wildlife Removal is a professional wildlife control company that provides humane and effective solutions to bird problems. We are licensed and insured, and our technicians are trained in the latest bird control methods. We will work with you to resolve your bird problem in a safe and efficient manner. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The news originally from: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Houston-news-11125529.php