Birdstrikes at Newspaper Building in New York a Historic First

Rendition of the New York Tribune building in 1877.

When the New York Tribune built a new sky-scraping office building in 1875, it became an architectural wonder to behold. It was originally nine stories in height, topped with a dramatic cupola. Large glass windows are shown throughout in classic imagery of the structure.

At the time, the building was described as "the highest building on Manhattan Island" and was located on Park Row, across from trees and urban landscaping. History also relates that it was the "first building in New York to surpass in height the 284-foot spire of Trinity Church."

The structure has another claim to fame of a different sort as a result of a short article published by a bird watcher.

Ernest Ingersoll was a preeminent American naturalist, and after going west in 1874 on with F.V. Hayden, on a government-sponsored expedition, described in "Knocking 'round the Rockies." He wrote various bird-related stories, including some about the autumnal migration of birds for the Christian Union, and a several, just in 1875, for the fledgling outdoor's journal Forest and Stream, for which he was natural history editor at the time. He was instrumental, along with Franklin Benner, in setting up a meeting in March 1878, that led to establishing the Linnaean Society of New York, and was the organizations first recording secretary. Starting in 1880, he wrote a number of books, the first about the nests and eggs of North American birds.

It is one of the latter items which has some bird-related details pertinent for the newspaper building. In a November 1875 issue, there was a brief note about several species which during the New York nights - around midnight - flew in at the upper windows of the Tribune offices during the previous month, October.

Species noted were: pine-creeping warbler, dark-eyed junco, green black-capped flycatching warbler or Wilson's Warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, white-eyed vireo and two instances of the white-throated bunting, better known now as the White-throated Sparrow. There were no details on the fate of the birds, whether they were captured alive and released, or identified once dead.

This is the first known detailed report in the historic literature for ornithology that indicates an occurrence of bird interaction with a building. There undoubtedly were earlier instances of birds being impacted by buildings in New York, as well as other large eastern U.S. cities with tall buildings, but the information was apparently not written up and sent in to get published in any of the other natural history serials of the era.

Here is a brief account from Rochester, New York, with particular details on birds being killed by striking glass windows.

"Birds And Windows. The library building of the Rochester University — across the street from us — has very clear windows opposite one another, and during the year, especially in the spring and autumn, many birds are killed by flying against them. The greater part are found on the north side. Most of the birds are small; but lately two Robins and one Golden-winged Woodpecker were found among them. Curiously enough there are no English Sparrows among the slain, they probably being sufficiently acquainted with windows to avoid them. — Frederic A. Lucas, Rochester, N. Y."

April 1881. Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club 6(2): 125.

"I believe that every person should regard himself as a trustee of nature for the benefit of his fellows and posterity; and that the wanton destruction of animal life is a sin against nature, against heaven and against humanity. I believe that the man or woman who commits that sin should be looked upon with such stern disfavor as that which society metes out to those who transgress the laws of the land." - text from a lecture by Ernest Ingersoll, circa 1888

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Burroughs Notes Bird Strike at Washington D.C. in 1860s

The famed John Burroughs adds another bit of historic lore to the first records of bird strikes. During his years at Washington D.C. from 1863 to 1868, he was an avid bird-watcher, and devoted an entire chapter on this topic in his book, The Writings of John Burroughs."

The chapter "Spring at the Capital - With an Eye to the Birds" has particular detail of interest:

"The occupants of one of the offices in the west wing of the Treasury one day had their attention attracted by some object striking violently against one of the window-panes. Looking up, they beheld a crow blackbird pausing in midair, a few feet from the window. On the broad stone window-sill lay the quivering form of a purple finch. The little tragedy was easily read. The blackbird had pursued the finch with such murderous violence that the latter, in its desperate efforts to escape, had sought refuge in the Treasury. The force of the concussion against the heavy plateglass of the window had killed the poor thing instantly. The pursuer, no doubt astonished at the sudden and novel termination of the career of its victim, hovered for a moment, as if to be sure of what had happened, and made off."

This recollection certainly adds a distinct view to the history on this topic.

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Birds and Windows. Reading in the April Bulletin to note by Mr. Lucas on "Birds and Windows" brings to mind that when in business in Hartford, Conn., in 1871 and 1872, I found in the spring the following birds that had been killed by flying against the Charter Oak Life Ins. Co.'s building - a very high building with "the windows opposite one another." Myiodioctes canadensis, Geothlypis trichas, Icterus baltimore, Chaetura pelasgia, Trochilus colubris (6 specimens). - John H. Sage, Portland, Conn.

1881. Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club 6(3): 188.

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"Birds and Plate-Glass. I fancy that the introduction of plate-glass into our windows must have been very fatal to the birds. Since my residence here many birds of many kinds have come to a sudden and untimely death by a flight against the glass. At first this destruction was quite distressing, but I am happy to say that each year it is becoming less. I suppose that they (the survivors) have gained experience. Plate-glass alone could have withstood the impetus with which some have met their fate, coming with a bang against the pane, like the report of a pistol. Amongst the victims I may mention a few: a sparrowhawk, two partridges (which being in season did not grieve me much), a misletoe and many common thrushes, chaffinches, two nightingales, and many other species; and a few days ago, during a severe frost, and in the dusk of the evening, seeking shelter from the cold, a golden-crested wren flew against the window, but was fortunately only stunned : I brought it in, and, before it had quite recovered, placed it in a small covered Japan basket upon a bed of rose-leaves. It never moved, and, fearing it might be dead, I carried the basket across the room some hours afterwards, and though the cover was removed in the full glare of the light the beautiful thing was not disturbed : it was asleep, and one round ball of feathers, the bead and neck invisible. Upon coming into the room next morning I found it all alive and well, and gave it its liberty. Birds when asleep must fall an easy prey to their enemies; they are very deaf, and, except some (which sleep, as they say Bristolians do, with one eye open), blind to approaching danger. — W. C. Hewitson; Oatlands, February 22, 1864."

1864. Zoologist 22, page 9019. This journal was published at London.

Rendering of Building Depicts a Pending Bird Hazard in Omaha

An architectural rendering of building planned for construction in midtown Omaha depicts a building that will is likely be a hazard to migratory birds.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, an insurance company, just announced plans to construct a $98 million, 10-story office building within the mixed-use development at Aksarben village, at the corner of Aksarben Drive and Shirley streets.

Architectural drawing of the Blue Cross Centre, showing the extensive use of glass and landscaping features.

The building design depicts several features that will likely result in bird strikes and subsequent deaths and injuries to numbers of migratory birds, including typical hazards as known from buildings where hundreds of deadly bird strikes have occurred in downtown Omaha.

1) An exterior that is basically comprised of reflective glass, from the ground floor to the top of the structure. The glass is completely within the air-zone of many of the birds that flit through skies of the Missouri River valley flyway.

2) Landscaping that includes trees in close proximity to the structure. The architect's drawing shows trees on three sides. The trees are placed in close proximity to the building, with enough distance that a bird flying from the foliage towards a distracting reflection of greenery, would strike with sufficient force to cause a devastating impact.

3) Close proximity to natural features that are pathways used by migratory birds, including being placed adjacent to the Little Papillion creek, and on a site within a mile southwest of Elmwood Park. More than 180 different species of birds have been recorded as occurring within the park environs, and during their migration, they would be attracted to plant landscaping to the south as they move along during the days when foraging.

4) A widest expanse for the structure for the north and south sides, presenting a maximum exposure to birds moving through in the same directions during migrations.

The rendering also does not indicate any features that are known to help minimize bird-strikes, according to accepted practices for known, bird-friendly designs. This could include use of special types of glass, obstructions to break up reflections, or, perhaps, screening to make reflective surfaces opaque.

Based on the limited details shown in the rendering for the Blue Cross Centre, it is not apparent if there will be plants within the building's lobby or entry area, which would just be an additional threat.

The building may be built with "green" consideration - in this case apparently efficient use of energy - but it is obviously not designed to be bird safe.

In early December, just a few blocks away, there was a community meeting to consider how Omaha can promote a green environment. One topic suggested that should be addressed as a natural resources component was to design buildings that are not hazardous to birds. Two areas being addressed and where bird-friendly design should be considered, were Natural Environment, and Building Construction. Although this effort is just underway, there is no reason buildings can't be built that pose on threat to an integral part of the local environment, the birds.

Architectural drawing of the design for a building that is nearing completion at Arsarben Village, showing the extensive use of glass and landscaping features.

This facet has readily been ignored, based on the building design prepared by Leo A. Daly Co., the same company which was the architect and engineering firm for the Carl T. Curtis National Park Service, Midwest Regional Headquarters along the Omaha Riverfront, where bird strikes are known to occur.

Mortality would be expected to occur when construction is completed in 2011. Visitors to the tall place could expect to see bird carcasses - rugularly during periodic migration season - on the walkway, or over on the grass, although building maintenance personnel will certainly find the feathered remains quickly and throw a once beautiful and vibrant bit of life into the trash for disposal.

The Askarben Village development already has other buildings in its UNO South Campus area and village section with reflective glass exteriors. Once landscaping features - various trees especially - are planted and get some growth, they will attract birds to the area.

These buildings will be hazardous to wild birds migrating through in spring and autumn. And, breeding birds such as mourning doves, common grackles and American robin that would be present in the summer could also get added to the probable tally of fatalities.

Hundreds of Wildbirds Die Yearly at Downtown Omaha Buildings

South wall of the Union Pacific Center, where a number of birds have met their demise.

During a volunteer effort to survey buildings in the downtown area of Omaha, there were 413 bird strikes noted during May-November, 2008. A surprising 64 different species were among the tally of birds struck down while flying through the dangerous, built environment full of hazards.

There were 348 instances of dead birds, indicated by a carcass. There were 65 cases of birds that were temporarily injured, and disabled so that they could not fly. When needed, and possible, these hurt birds were moved to an alternate locale to allow it some time to hopefully recover in a safer situation, away from threats of being stepped upon by pedestrians on the sidewalks, or from being eaten by feral cats and to get it away from other potential dangers. Some may even possibly get thrown away by zealous maintenance personnel thinking it was something to be removed with the other trash when cleaning around the building as part of their regular routine.

Surveys - done by walking or bicycling around the area - were most consistent during migratory periods in May, and September-October. Not all areas were visited each day, so some strikes would have been missed. On those days with the more strikes, more places were visited. Species identification was based on personal experience, or with assistance by a few other helpful birders that evaluated a picture taken of the bird where it was found.

Bird Species	May 2008	Jun 2008	Jul 2008	Aug 2008	Sep 2008	Oct 2008	Nov 2008
Virginia Rail	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Sora	5	-	-	-	1	-	-
Mourning Dove	1	-	-	1	3	1	-
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	-	2	-	-	-	-	-
Common Nighthawk	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Chimney Swift	-	3	-	2	1	1	-
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Belted Kingfisher	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
Hairy Woodpecker	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Flicker	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Olive-sided Flycatcher	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Eastern Wood-Pewee	3	-	-	-	2	-	-
Willow Flycatcher	3	-	-	-	-	-	-
Least Flycatcher	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Great Crested Flycatcher	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Eastern Kingbird	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Warbling Vireo	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Red-eyed Vireo	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Purple Martin	-	-	-	15	30	-	-
Brown Creeper	-	-	-	-	1	3	-
House Wren	-	-	-	1	3	1	-
Sedge Wren	-	-	-	-	2	-	-
Marsh Wren	-	-	-	-	3	-	-
Swainson's Thrush	2	1	-	-	-	1	-
Hermit Thrush	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
American Robin	2	-	1	-	-	1	-
Gray Catbird	2	2	-	-	1	-	-
Brown Thrasher	-	-	-	-	3	-	-
Cedar Waxwing	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Tennessee Warbler	13	-	-	-	-	-	-
Orange-crowned Warbler	-	-	-	-	1	5	-
Nashville Warbler	3	1	-	-	22	9	-
Yellow Warbler	4	-	-	-	1	-	-
Chestnut-sided Warbler	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Yellow-rumped Warbler	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Palm Warbler	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Black-and-white Warbler	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
American Redstart	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Worm-eating Warbler	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Ovenbird	7	-	-	1	5	-	-
Northern Waterthrush	-	-	-	1	1	-	-
Louisiana Waterthrush	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mourning Warbler	1	-	-	3	7	-	-
Common Yellowthroat	14	-	-	-	27	7	-
Hooded Warbler	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Wilson's Warbler	-	1	-	1	6	-	-
American Tree Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	1	3
Chipping Sparrow	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Clay-colored Sparrow	4	-	-	-	6	4	-
Grasshopper Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Fox Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Song Sparrow	-	-	-	-	2	1	-
Lincoln's Sparrow	2	-	-	-	11	21	1
Swamp Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	3	-
White-throated Sparrow	3	-	-	-	-	5	2
White-crowned Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
Dark-eyed Junco	-	-	-	-	-	6	5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	2	1	-	-	-	-	-
Blue Grosbeak	1	-	-	-	1	-	-
Indigo Bunting	5	4	-	-	-	2	-
Common Grackle	2	-	16	-	4	-	-
Baltimore Oriole	2	-	-	-	2	-	-
House Finch	-	-	-	1	-	1	-
Total:	102	17	19	29	154	79	13
This list includes only those birds identified to a particular species. In some instances the species could be indentified only to a genus level (i.e., warbler, sparrow), so the overall total indicated by this table does not equal 413.

With the additional strikes that would have occurred in March-April, and adding in strikes that were not documented during the survey period, there are probably at least 500 bird strikes per season in downtown Omaha.

Glass wall area that is a hazard to birds, on the north side of the State Office Building. Some oak trees were just planted to the east and west of the area shown in this picture, so as the trees get bigger and attract migratory birds, an increase in bird strikes is likely.

The species noted most often were:

Common Yellowthroat - 48

Purple Martin - 45; birds at the midtown roost

Nashville Warbler - 35

Lincoln's Sparrow - 35

Common Grackle - 22

Clay-colored Sparrow - 14

Tennessee Warbler - 13

Ovenbird - 13

Mourning Warbler - 11

Indigo Bunting - 11

Dark-eyed Junco - 11

White-throated Sparrow - 10

Species of conservation concern - "a list used to help prioritize conservation planning/actions" - were found 27 times. They included species with different state rankings.

S2 - state imperiled

Sedge Wren; at the Holland Center for Performing Arts and Qwest Center, late in September

S3 - state vulnerable

Brown Creeper, Black-and-white Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Swamp Sparrow; four of the instances were at the Union Pacific Center

S4

Virginia Rail (an anomaly reported from along Saddle Creek Road, just north from Dodge Street), and Ovenbird

S5

Yellow-billed Cuckoo; both at the Omaha World-Herald Building

Six of the total number of strikes were at the Union Pacific Center (Brown Creeper, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, and Swamp Sparrow), with five at the Qwest Center Omaha, and three at the 1200 Landmark Center.

Certain days during the migration season are especially hazardous, with a large number of strikes that occurred:

May 2008 05/01 - 5 05/06 - 3 05/08 - 2 05/10 - 10 05/11 - 2 05/12 - 3 05/13 - 6 05/14 - 1 05/15 - 1 05/16 - 1 05/17 - 3 05/18 - 7 05/19 - 2 05/20 - 5 05/21 - 4 05/22 - 1 05/23 - 4 05/24 - 2 05/25 - 5 05/26 - 10 05/27 - 2 05/28 - 1 05/29 - 11; two disabled birds; all the species noted were warblers, primarily the Tennessee Warbler 05/30 - 3 05/31 - 8

September 2008 09/03 - 3 09/04 - 9 09/05 - 1 09/06 - 9 09/07 - 5 09/08 - 8 09/09 - 4 09/12 - 7 09/13 - 17; includes eight injured, and one dead martin noted when the birds were arriving at the midtown roost 09/14 - 8 09/15 - 2 09/16 - 4 09/21 - 2 09/23 - 2 09/25 - 23; 20 carcasses 09/26 - 13 09/27 - 8 09/28 - 16 09/29 - 5 09/30 - 8

October 2008 10/01 - 9 10/02 - 6 10/03 - 5 10/04 - 4 10/05 - 1 10/08 - 5 10/09 - 2 10/10 - 6 10/11 - 1 10/12 - 1 10/14 - 2 10/15 - 1 10/16 - 3 10/18 - 2 10/20 - 7 10/21 - 4 10/22 - 2 10/23 - 2 10/25 - 5 10/26 - 3 10/28 - 3 10/29 - 1 10/30 - 2 10/31 - 2

For the six-month period excluding November, when the number of strikes declined and inclement weather did not allow a regular schedule of looking for carcasses, there were 400 strikes. For this period of 185 days, there was an average of 2.16 bird strikes per day.

Deadly Buildings

This survey illustrates the buildings which are obviously the most dangerous for migratory birds in downtown Omaha.

Qwest Center Omaha - 123 known strikes, with all but a couple on the west side facade; FWS officials contacted building management in mid-summer, and asked that something be done by the end of September; nothing has been done

Kiewit-Clarkson Skywalk - 38; hospital officials put up temporary measures once they were informed to the regulations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Union Pacific Center - 36, mostly warblers and sparrows; the building management official is aware of the bird deaths, as they once commented on pictures being taken one morning

Central Park Plaza - 29

1200 Landmark Center - 28; a building management official was informed of deaths at this structure during the summer, at the same meeting with an Omaha World-Herald official

The hazardous zone for migratory birds that enter the courtyard at the Holland Center for Performing Arts. Birds also regularly hit the south wall, located across from the Central Park Mall and its landscaping trees.

Holland Center for Performing Arts - 27; officials are aware of the deaths, as they commented on them when giving notice of the courtyard area being private property; the person was indifferent to the bird deaths

Gottschalk Freedom Center - 22; FWS officials contacted Omaha-World Herald building management officials in mid-summer, and asked that something be done by the end of September; nothing has been done

Zorinsky Federal Building - 15; nothing has been done here by federal officials, at a building which they own and maintain

Omaha Public Power District Energy Plaza - 13; a FWS official said they had a contact with the company, and said they would talk with them about the bird strikes; nothing was heard subsequently

Omaha World-Herald Building - 9; not as dangerous for migratory birds as the Freedom Center

Woodmen Tower Skywalk - 8; an official with the management company informed of these deaths; the same official was asked to note if and when birds were striking the woodmen tower, and they agreed to do so; no further information was received; it is probable that birds strike this prominent tower, but they would fall to the base of the building, which is not visible from the public sidewalk

Kiewit-Clarkson South Skywalk - 7

First National Tower - 7; an official was notified via email, and was considerate enough to provide a reply, expressing thanks for receiving the information

Harper Center, Creighton University. The other hazardous spot at this building is the west end of the north side.

Creighton Harper Center - 6

J.P. Cooke Company - 5; this building constructed in the 1880s, probably has the longest history of bird strikes in the state, since the glass on the north side now known to be a hazard, has probably been a hazard since it was built

Nebraska State Office Building - 4; state officials were notified of the deaths occuring on the north side of the building during the summer; no reply was received; and there were subsequent deaths at this site

American National Bank - 4

Slowdown Lounge - 3

First National Bank Building - 3

Urban Outfitters - 2

Redfield & Company - 2

Harriman Dispatching Center, Union Pacific Railroad - 2

Exchange Building - 2

All Makes Office Equipment Company - 2

What-Cheer - 1

Union Plaza Apartments - 1

Tower Park - 1

State Office Building - 1

O'Keefe Elevator Company - 1

Mr. Toad's Pub - 1

Metropolitan Utilities District building - 1

Laurie and Charles Photographs - 1

Kutak Rock, Omaha Building - 1

Kimball Lofts - 1

Joslyn Lofts - 1

Indian Creek Nursery - 1

Federal Office Building - 1

American Apparel - 1

17th and Harney Street - 1

1405 Harney Street - 1

Deadly situations will increase as more trees are introduced for landscaping (i.e., World-Herald Square, State Office Building) and additional buildings are constructed (i.e., the Wallstreet Tower is a looming hazard). In midtown, the Midtown Crossing development at the former Turner Park, will have several glass exterior buildings that will be hazards. Elsewhere, the Aksarben Village buildings also have features which characterize the buildings where bird strikes occur.

Considerations

Nothing has been done to address the bird strike problem in downtown Omaha.

Despite the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service being responsible for enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act - which protects wild birds - and state and federal-level personnel being well aware of the known problem buildings, they have done nothing to get something done to have any building retrofitted to reduce their danger.

Building owners have also chosen to not undertake any efforts to address the problem at their structures. Their reason(s) for not doing anything is not apparent.

In one example when measures were put in place to address bird strikes by Purple Martins at the Nebraska Medical Center, the deaths continued. Even once hospital officials were informed of the ongoing impacts, they made no subsequent changes. And more martins died.

So even though details of the ongoing deaths has been documented this year, nothing has changed. The problem is obvious. Viable solutions to the extensive, and ongoing deaths are available, but are not being implemented. Building owners continue to ignore the deaths of wild birds at their buildings, with an apparent, and appalling indifference.

Bird Strike Maps

Specific details of where bird strikes are known to occur are available on detailed maps for the vicinity:

View Larger Map May to August - 631 map views	View Larger Map September - 2297 map views
View Larger Map October - 4956 map views (Nov 30, 2008)	View Larger Map November - 2498 map views (Nov 30, 2008)

A picture is often included to provide valid documentation of the bird that was injured or killed by hitting a building exterior at Omaha, the river city.

"...often there is a photo of the injured bird. If that doesn't make you want to do something about this, you have no heart." - comment received via email

West wall of the Qwest Center Omaha, the most hazardous place for birds in Omaha. The landscaping to the west of the area shown is the reason for the many bird strikes.

Windows are Clear Danger for Migratory Birds

By Maggie O'Brien, Omaha World-Herald Staff Writer

Sunday World-Herald 144(6): 1B-2B. November 9, 2008

An Omaha bird enthusiast thinks federal wildlife officials should be doing more to require businesses to take steps to prevent migratory birds from flying into their buildings and dying.

Jim Ducey, who tracks bird deaths in downtown Omaha, says that since May at least 360 birds have died after hitting tall buildings. He said the glass windows in modern building designs are pretty to look at but deadly for birds.

"The problem is, the people who put up a building with glass make it look really cool, but they don't pay attention to birds," said Ducey, whose hobbies are birds, nature and conservation matters.

The deaths are unfortunate, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say.

But compared with the thousands of birds that die yearly from encounters with utility lines and other hazards, 300-plus is not a large number, they said.

Still, migratory birds are protected under federal law by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which says they cannot be harmed or killed, even unintentionally.

Under that law, businesses, once notified that birds are flying into their buildings, could be fined up to $15,000 per bird if they don't take steps to prevent the deaths. Federal wildlife officials said they contact the businesses, notify them of the deaths, and offer suggestions to prevent further harm.

No fines have been levied in Nebraska because of birds hitting buildings, said Mark Webb, a special agent with the Fish and Wildlife Service's Lincoln office.

Fines have been imposed on some utilities and road construction crews that ignored the agency's recommendations for protecting birds, Webb said.

Robert Harms, a biologist with the wildlife service in Grand Island, said bird deaths have increased with the number of buildings.

Migratory birds, many of which follow the path of the Missouri River every spring and fall, get too close to Omaha buildings.

When the glass is clear, birds see only what's on the other side. When it is reflective, birds see reflected sky and trees. Both types trick them into flying directly into the glass, Harms said, killing most instantly - and leaving a mess.

"Is it a violation when the bird flies into a building?" Webb asked. "Yes. It's sad that we're losing birds from flying into buildings, but where do you draw the line? We haven't reached it yet."

Some companies may be reluctant to spend money on netting, decals or other measures that could help save birds, Webb said, but "businesses are going to be ahead in terms of money if they just comply with the law. As long as building owners are willing to work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, they won't get fined."

All bird species are vulnerable to flying into buildings. But according to Ducey's count, purple martins, common yellowthroats and Nashville warblers are among the most common locally.

Last month, the Nebraska Medical Center draped temporary coverings across a skywalk near 44th and Farnam Streets to protect a large nest of purple martins that had roosted in about a dozen nearby trees.

The idea was, the birds would see the covering, instead of reflections, and avoid the glass. At least 15 purple martins died before hospital crews put up the coverings; afterward, none did.

Paul Baltes, a medical center spokesman, said the purple martins now have left the area, continuing on their journey south for the winter. With no other problems, the coverings have been taken down, he said.

Daniel Klem Jr., a professor of biology and ornithology at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., recommends netting. He said some skyscrapers in New York are draped with netting to protect birds.

Decals are another option, Klem said. Such decals might be shaped like butterflies, for instance. Birds will avoid glass if they think other creatures are there.

"(The decals) have to be numerous, and spaced properly to effectively eliminate strikes," Klem said. "The more decals, the more lives saved."

The Qwest Center Omaha is looking into using ultrasonic waves, something like invisible fencing that keeps dogs from leaving a yard, to discourage birds from approaching the building. The system, although expensive, would make sure the birds - and the building's aesthetics - are protected, said Roger Dixon, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority.

Unfortunately, said Dixon - who is working with federal wildlife officials - the Qwest Center's budget lacks the money to pay for ultrasonic waves, but he hopes to find room in next year's budget.

"We didn't build in the path of birds to do harm," he said. "This has made us aware that birds are being unintentionally taken."

Harms and Webb said most building owners want to protect birds.

"It's a totally new thing. . . . They've never had to think about it before, while me, as a biologist, I think about them all the time," Harms said. "We just want people to try and people to work with us. People in Omaha care about wildlife."

FWS Requests Qwest Officials to Comply With Bird Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has made an official request that officials of the Qwest Center Omaha take steps to comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The request was made due to the ongoing deaths of birds that strike the glass wall on the western side of the building in downtown Omaha.

Reflective conditions at the west wall of the Qwest Center. Photos by J.E. Ducey.

"It is recommended that corrective actions be installed on the Qwest Center windows by no later than September 30, 2008," stated a registered letter sent to Roger Dixon, the president/CEO of the Qwest Center on September 4th by John Cochnar Deputy Nebraska Field Supervisor, at the FWS Grand Island office.

"From May 2008 to September 2, 2008, a total of 52 dead or injured birds have been documented at the Qwest Center. It is anticipated that the number of dead or injured migratory birds at the Qwest Center will increase as fall migration resumes in early September. Further, it is also important to mention that collisions with the Qwest Center windows have likely been occurring since the building was constructed, but went unreported," the letter said.

A variety of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act have been among the fatalities, including the ovenbird, Nashville warbler, clay-colored sparrow, white-throated sparrow, palm warbler, gray catbird, and American redstart.

"The MBTA prohibits the direct intentional and/or unintentional take (i.e., killing or injuring) of migratory birds," the letter said. "Collision of birds with windows is an example of a prohibited form of unintentional direct take. The MBTA has mandated provisions that require the Service to enforce actions that result in the direct intentional and/or unintentional take of migratory birds. In the past, the Service has fined entities for violations of MBTA in Nebraska."

Carcass of a Gray Catbird on a bench at the west side of the Qwest Center. Picture taken 9 Jun 2008.

Representatives of the Qwest Center were previously made aware of provisions of the MBTA in an e-mail sent by FWS biologist Robert Harms on June 3, 2008, and at a follow-up meeting with two other representatives of the Qwest Center at an onsite meeting on July 31. A copy of some "Bird Safe Building Guidelines" were also provided to the Qwest officials at the July meeting.

A meeting between Qwest officials and a biologist with the FWS has been scheduled.

"The Service's preference is to always work collaboratively in circumstances where birds are being unnecessary killed or injured to develop corrective actions. We look forward to working with the Qwest Center to avoid the further unnecessary death and injury to migratory birds and plan to meet with you on September 24, 2008, to offer technical assistance."

"Protection of migratory birds, a public trust resource, is a priority for the Fish and Wild Service in Nebraska given the tremendous migration that occurs annually in our state," Harms said. "In North America, there has been a widespread decline in many species of migratory birds due to habitat loss. When we know that the unnecessary death and injury to migratory birds is occurring and that there are solutions to prevent this, the Service as a benefactor of that public resource will take steps to do something about it."

There has been no action taken yet to implement preventative measures to reduce or eliminate bird strikes, according to Harms.

Map showing September bird strikes in eastern Omaha.

Second Letter Sent by FWS

A letter similar to that sent to Qwest officials was sent to the Omaha World-Herald on September 10th, also asking that corrective actions be installed by September 30th.

Company officials were informed of bird strikes at a meeting held on July 31, 2008. The Company was asked to advise the FWS officials "once corrective actions have been completed."

Bird strikes have been documented to occur at the west side of the Freedom Center, and at the east side of the OWH Building.

UNL Makes Changes to Keep Its Birds Alive

By ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008 - 01:08:30 am CDT

Song birds are dying by the hundreds on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus and elsewhere in the state.

The killer is not West Nile or any other avian disease. These birds are dying because they crash into big plate glass windows and fall helplessly to the ground.

Birds see the reflections of the trees and other landscaping in the windows and think they are flying into a park-like habitat, said Bob Harms, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Grand Island.

And that’s when they get killed or seriously injured.

Most of the casualties are song birds that migrate through the area in spring and autumn. April and May and mid-September to early November are the highest mortality periods.

The deadliest places for birds appear to be glass-walled passageways between university buildings and large structures with window facades. More than 100 bird species have been recorded on City Campus. Here are some of the worst areas:

* Cather Residence Hall to Pound Residence Hall to Neihardt Residence Center.

* Oldfather Hall to Bessey Hall and Burnett Hall.

* Nebraska Hall to Walter Scott Engineering Center.

* Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.

* Memorial Stadium, east side.

* Architecture Hall, new addition.

No accurate count on the bird-strike deaths is available because groundskeepers pick up the carcasses as part of their daily rounds. Also feral cats walk off with dead or injured birds.

However, local bird enthusiast and conservationist Jim Ducey has been tracking bird-strike deaths on City Campus for two years and more recently in Omaha. He’s also researched records dating back to 1985 kept by the University of Nebraska State Museum, which over the years has gathered up dead birds for its specimen collection.

Based on his scattered data, Ducey estimates the city is losing at least a couple of hundred migratory song birds annually on City Campus alone. He said bird-strike deaths also were happening on East Campus and in Lincoln’s downtown.

In downtown Omaha, Ducey counted 150 dead birds during the past four months. The Qwest Center and the Omaha World-Herald’s Freedom Center, with their big glass windows, have some of the highest bird-strike numbers.

"A wide variety of birds, in my opinion, are dying unnecessary deaths," Ducey said. "There are architectural methods that can be utilized to avoid the problem. Those have been mostly ignored. We don’t need any bird deaths from striking a building. It’s not necessary."

Thanks to Ducey’s efforts, the USFWS is working with UNL officials and others in Omaha to reduce the number of bird deaths. The federal agency is involved because migratory birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

"It’s happening elsewhere in the state, and it’s happening elsewhere in the country," Harms said, referring to bird-strike deaths.

In 2002, the USFWS estimated that between 97 million to 970 million birds were killed each year in window collisions.

As a result of on-going discussions, the university has installed special ultra-violet decals on some of its large plate glass windows to try to reduce the number of bird strikes. The decals supposedly cut down on reflection and make windows appear solid.

Ted Weidner, vice chancellor of facilities management and planning, said the manufacturer said the decals catch light in the ultra-violet range, which only birds can see. But he’s a little doubtful.

"We can see them to apply them," he added.

The large decals have been applied in two areas where a lot of dead birds have been found: the Oldfather Hall links to Bessey Hall and Burnett Hall, and the Cather-Pound-Neihardt passageways.

The university also is looking at other areas where bird strikes have occurred to see whether the UV decals will work.

Decals would be impractical on places such as the east side of Memorial Stadium and Sheldon Art Gallery.

"It would be like putting a sticker on the State Capitol," he added.

Lighting may have to be examined in those buildings. Turning off lights or shielding them are possibilities.

Weidner said he also would like a small student study to find the most effective way to convince birds not to fly through glass. The university may examine its landscaping practices to see whether something needs to be done in that area to keep birds away, he said.

Ducey praised the university for its bird-protection efforts, calling it a great beginning.

"I think UNL has really stepped up and changed the whole dynamics and taken responsibility for what is occurring on this campus," he said.

Ducey doesn’t want the university to do anything that would ruin the architecture of its buildings. Neither does Harms.

"The Sheldon building and Memorial Stadium are sacred places in Nebraska. Not everything would work. We don’t want to reduce the importance of the decor of these buildings," he said.

Said Weidner: "The university is attempting to be a good place for humans and birds."

Bird Strikes at Omaha Buildings - An Update

During intermittent surveys in eastern Omaha, additional occurrences of bird strikes were found through the summer months. Overall for the period of May through August, there were 167 known occurrences of birds striking buildings, primarily in the downtown area, and a couple of other places in eastern Omaha.

This is the overall tally for buildings where known bird strikes occurred:

Building - No. of Strikes
Qwest Center Omaha - 52 1200 Landmark Center - 16 Kiewit-Clarkson Passageway - 15 Omaha World-Herald Freedom Center - 14 Central Park Plaza - 12 Union Pacific Center - 10 Holland Performing Arts Center - 10 Omaha World-Herald Building - 7 Tower Park passageway - 5 Omaha Public Power District headquarters - 4 Nebraska State Office Building - 4 American National Bank - 4	First National Bank - 2 Edward Zorinsky Federal Building - 2 All Makes Office Equipment Company - 2 Woodmen Park - 1 Slowdown Lounge - 1 O'Keefe Elevator Company - 1 Kutak Rock, Omaha Building - 1 J.P. Cooke - 1 First National Tower - 1 17th and Harney Street - 1 1405 Harney Street - 1

Noted most often during the summer weeks were typical resident species, with larger numbers of species such as the Common Grackle, occurring after the birds began to fledge from nests at the various green spaces scattered among the buildings. Also the Chimney Swift, and lesser numbers of the Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, and House Wren. A Belted Kingfisher was an unusual instance, noted at a building westward of the lagoon at the Central Park Mall.

Bird Species Name - No. of Records

• Common Grackle - 18 • Purple Martin - 15 • Common Yellowthroat - 14 • Tennessee Warbler - 13 • Ovenbird - 9 • Indigo Bunting - 9 • Sora - 5 • Chimney Swift - 5 • Yellow Warbler - 4 • Nashville Warbler - 4 • Mourning Warbler - 4 • Gray Catbird - 4 • Clay-colored Sparrow - 4 • Willow Flycatcher - 3 • White-throated Sparrow - 3 • Swainson's Thrush - 3 • Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 3 • Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3 • American Robin - 3 • Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 • Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 • Wilson's Warbler - 2 • Warbling Vireo - 2 • Palm Warbler - 2 • Mourning Dove - 2 • Lincoln's Sparrow - 2 • Baltimore Oriole - 2 • American Redstart - 2

• Worm-eating Warbler - 1 • Red-eyed Vireo - 1 • Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 • Northern Waterthrush - 1 • Northern Flicker - 1 • Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 • Least Flycatcher - 1 • House Wren - 1 • House Finch - 1 • Hooded Warbler - 1 • Hairy Woodpecker - 1 • Eastern Kingbird - 1 • Connecticut Warbler - 1 • Common Nighthawk - 1 • Chipping Sparrow - 1 • Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 • Cedar Waxwing - 1 • Blue Grosbeak - 1 • Black-and-white Warbler - 1 • Belted Kingfisher - 1 During the four month period, 47 species were recorded. Additional records would be included for instances where the particular species was not certain due to the age of the carcass and missing essentials for identification.

Most of the warbler records were from the spring migration period. Additional instances began to occur at the end of August, initiating the autumn migration.

Purple Martins were fatalities at the passageway between the Kiewit Center and the Clarkson Doctor's building South in the last few days of August. After 15 known instances (12 dead and 3 injured birds during 23-28 August), personnel associated with the Nebraska Medical Center hung banners on August 30th, within the passageway, on the west side, to provide a visual barrier for the thousands of birds occurring at the locale. Additional occurrences likely occurred before the roost was discovered on August 23rd.

This has been the only effort to reduce or prevent bird strikes at any of the known places of danger at buildings indicated on the above list. There is a massive roost for Purple Martins in some ash trees just west of the passageway, with at least 25,000 martins present during the nights of the last few days of August.

The specific site of the known bird strikes are shown on a map of the area where buildings were checked.

Grackles Common Casualties at Buildings in Early Summer

July 11th

A Belted Kingfisher was the surprise find of this morning, at the Central Park Plaza, south tower corner.

Along south 18th, there were five carcasses on the street, on the north side beneath the Tower Park crosswalk. Four of these were formerly Common Grackles. The other carcass was that of an American Robin. Each had been well flattened by traffic.

The buildings to which the walkway is attached are owned by the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance company, according to the web site of the county assessor.

Reflective conditions at the State Office Building, downtown Omaha. There are two Common Grackle carcasses present. 05 Jul 2008.

July 8th

Two additional grackle carcasses were noted. One was an aged carcass at the OWH Freedom Center locale. The second, a juvenile, was at a new spot for a bird strike, the northwest corner of the Omaha Public Power District headquarters, on 17th Street.

Early Summer Mortality

Common Grackles have been the notable casualty at known hazardous buildings on the past two weekends.

Five carcasses were noted Saturday morning, July 5th in downtown Omaha. The first was noted in the courtyard at the Holland Performing Arts Center, and one bird glanced off the upper glass on the sky-like reflection on the upper west wall, when my disturbance caused it to fly from the enclosed area.

There was another grackle carcass at the northeast corner, on the sidewalk at Central Park Plaza.

The most notable carcass scene was on the north side of the Nebraska State Office building, at the glass walled, entry area. Three carcasses were present, and had signs that made them appear to be recent. These juveniles were probably raised in the area. The landscaped, Central Park Mall is across Farnam Street from the building.

Common Grackles were seen foraging in a few small groups at grassy places around the downtown area.

An injured juvenile Common Grackle at the north side of the Nebraska State Office Building. It has a severly injured, right leg. 5 July 2008.

Bony relict of the carcass of a Northern Cardinal on the north side of the Architecture Hall link. These remains have obviously been present for an extended period of time. Picture taken 29 June 2008.

Common Grackles were the notable remains noted on Sunday, June 29th on the UNL City campus. At least three were found in various conditions. Aged carcasses of two other species were also noted.

Two fatalities were at the CPN walkway, and an aged, third carcass at the west side of the passageway on the north side of Oldfather Hall.

Carcass below the walkway on the north side of Oldfather Hall, at UNL on 29 June.

Carcass on the stairway at the west side of the CPN walkway. There was a second carcass of a Common Grackle at this locale. Date: 29 Jun 2008.

Other locations where strikes have occurred, were checked to a lesser extent.

Walkway on the south side of Oldfather Hall. Note the smears, which with a closer look, a couple appeared to have indications of being caused by a bird strike. 29 Jun 2008.

Downtown Omaha Buildings Deadly for Migratory Birds

An injured Nashville Warbler taken from the hazardous sidewalk at the Edward Zorinsky Federal Building to the tree in a landscaped area on the north edge of downtown.

A survey of bird strikes in downtown Omaha recorded 102 instances during the month of May.

Starting early in the month, a casual survey was made around the tall buildings of downtown Omaha, to evaluate where birds might be found to have hit and structure, causing their death. Once a very significant number of carcasses were noted on May 10, 2008, a survey via bicycle was made daily around the downtown sidewalks in the early morning to document instances of bird carcasses, and occasionally injured birds.

During each survey, the building name and the particular location of the bird species - noting only those classified under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act - was recorded, with a picture or two taken of nearly every instance. If a species identification could not be made, the picture was useful to get assistance from other birders in order to determine the particular identification of the species. Each instance entered into a database according to each building, to help with data compilation and analysis.

When an injured bird was found, it was carefully picked up and moved away from the building sidewalk and any pedestrian traffic, and placed in a landscaped area, and in the case of those within the core area of the downtown building district, it was taken to a park area on the north side of downtown.

Downtown Omaha buildings. View from the northeast.

Most of the bird strikes occurred repeatedly at several prominent buildings with extensive glass areas serving as exterior walls. Those with the greater number of known instances were:

• Qwest Center Omaha - 33, with six strike occurrences denoted on May 26th; all but one of the occurrences on the west side, including one bird which struck the glass-enlosed, elevated walkway to the hotel across the street

• 1200 Landmark Center - 14, mostly on the north side

• Holland Performing Arts Center - 9, about two-thirds occur in the courtyard area, which as the trees get larger, will be a greater hazard

• Union Pacific Center - 9, mostly at the northeast corner of the structure

• Omaha World-Herald Freedom Center - 9, nearly all were along the west side, though one occurred in the recessed courtyard at the southwest corner of the building

• Central Park Plaza - 8, on the north, south and east sides of both towers

• Omaha World-Herald Building - 5, in the southeast corner

• American National Bank - 4, on the south side

Reflectivity of the glass wall on the west side of the Qwest Center Omaha.

View of a portion of the west wall at the QWest Center Omaha.

The strikes occur because of the combination of three items, designated as the deadly Ls: 1) the look of the building, each with a prominent glass exterior wall; 2) lights are known to confuse nocturnal migrants, which are most of the species noted; and 3) landscaping where in most instances leafy trees were planted and are growing in relatively close proximity to a reflective wall, so birds landing in the tree and looking to go elsewhere, would fly towards what would appear to be a suitable destination, but would be a false image. The distance away from the tree would be sufficient for a flight speed where the bird would be strike the reflective surface hard enough for the flying bird to become a fatality.

North side of the 1200 Landmark Center building.

View from the north of the Union Pacific Center. The area being cleared is where the Wallstreet Tower of glass, 330 feet high will be constructed.

A map is indicates the places and dates where the bird strikes occurred, and many of the instances include a photograph of the scene where the carcass was found.

Map of Bird Strikes in Downtown Omaha View a Larger Map - This option is recommended in order to best view the text and photographs for the complete list of bird strike records.

There would be additional strikes at some of these buildings during the month, but only those where visible evidence was present were recorded. If a bird fell onto the entry way overhangs at the Qwest, or on the courtyard ledge at the Holland Performing Arts Center, the carcasses would not be visible, and could not be tallied. Other prominent buildings which may have had bird strikes, could not be evaluated for this same reason. There would also likely be additional instances of strike mortality, but restrictions on accessing private property did not allow any evaluation; the Con Agra Campus for example, with its mix of the three deadly Ls. Some carcasses may have also been carried away by cats and/or dogs, or maybe the few other wild animals that occur, such as opposums.

A table illustrates where 35 different species have flown into a building.

Tally of Omaha Buildings Where Birds Strikes Occurred in May

Bird Species	1200 Land. Ctr.	1405 Harn.	17th Harn.	All Makes	Amer. Nat. Bk.	Cent. Park Plaz.	Zorin. Fed. Bldg.	Fir. Nat. Bk.	Fir. Nat. Twr.	Holl. Ctr.	OWH Bldg.	OWH Free. Ctr.	Qwest Ctr.	Slow- down	NE Off. Bldg.	UP Cntr.	Wood. Park
Sora	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Mourning Dove	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Hairy Woodpecker	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Olive-sided Flycatcher	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Wood-Pewee	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Willow Flycatcher	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Flycatcher	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Least Flycatcher	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Eastern Kingbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Warbling Vireo	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Red-eyed Vireo	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Swainson's Thrush	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Robin	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Gray Catbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Tennessee Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	1	- -	- -	5	- -	1	4	- -
Nashville Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Yellow Warbler	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Chestnut-sided Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Yellow-rumped Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Palm Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Black-and-white Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
American Redstart	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Worm-eating Warbler	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Ovenbird	2	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Louisiana Waterthrush	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Mourning Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Yellowthroat	3	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	2	7	- -	- -	- -	- -
Chipping Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Clay-colored Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -
Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1
Lincoln's Sparrow	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
White-throated Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Blue Grosbeak	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Indigo Bunting	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -	- -
Common Grackle	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Baltimore Oriole	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	1	- -
Total Number:	14	1	1	1	4	8	2	2	1	9	5	9	33	1	1	9	1

The species with the greatest extent of deadly impacts were the Common Yellowthroat, with 14 instances of known strikes, Tennessee Warbler (13), Ovenbird (7), Indigo Bunting (5), Sora (5), Yellow Warbler (4), Clay-colored Sparrow (4), Eastern Wood-Pewee (3), Nashville Warbler (3), Willow Flycatcher (3), and White-throated Sparrow (3). About half of the total were warblers, with sparrows also well represented.

A number of the birds killed were females struck down during a hazardous trek to the breeding grounds. They will not be able to raise a brood that would have contributed to the population of their species.

The dates when a greater number of strikes were noted were May 29th, with 11 instances, May 10th and 26th, both with ten instances, and May 31st, with 8 instances. Most of the records - 92 - are during the period of May 10-31, giving an average of nearly four strikes per day.

Reflectivity of the west wall of the Omaha World-Herald Freedom Center. The First National Bank Tower and buildings to the north are shown.

Setting of the courtyard area of the Holland Performing Arts Center. Dead birds have been found under the large square area on the right, and to the left. The trees of the Central Park Mall are directly south of this building.

Each of these species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The demise of a bird caused by a building is considered taking under this Act, and the building owner is liable for the death.

Ten carcasses found on 10 May.

Carcasses from building strikes in downtown Omaha on 31 May.

The Nebraska office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been informed of the results of this survey, and their representative was asked to inform representatives of the building with the largest strikes that each death of a bird is a violation of the MBTA, which may be subject to law enforcement.

Injured female Indigo Bunting, Qwest Center on June 2nd, 2008.

"Migratory birds are federally protected under provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712: Ch. 128 as amended). The MBTA prohibits the intentional and unintentional direct take (e.g., killing, wounding, destruction of active nests) of migratory birds."