Bird Safe program at Princeton saves bird lives

Distressed over the heartbreaking number of birds killed by striking windows on campus, a group of Princeton University students set out on ambitious plan to study the problem and find a solution.

Their inspiring work has led to changes in the university’s building procedures, saving the lives of countless numbers of birds. The students of the Princeton Birding Society who devised the program are featured in a 10-minute documentary directed by Jared Flesher and produced by the Princeton Office of Sustainability. The video premiered Thursday on YouTube. I encourage you to watch.

I know the students featured in the film, Patrick (a senior) and Claire (a recent graduate). To say I admire them is an understatement. Patrick and Claire were members of the Princeton team that won the World Series of Birding in 2022.

I also know the featured faculty member, Professor Cassie Stoddard, who sponsored and advised on the project. I admire her, too.

As you’ll see from the video, patterned film has been placed on many windows on campus where the students often found birds dead on the ground. Now, new construction includes the window film, which breaks up the window reflections that otherwise might seem like clear flying for a bird.

I find it slightly, amusingly ironic that the Bird Safe film debuts at a time when I’m still dealing with a daft song sparrow, whom I have named Basher, who keeps attacking the windows of our dining room every morning.

My wife set a couple of stuffed animals in the windowsills, which seemed to have kept Basher at bay for a few days. But he has returned, and I spent a portion of the last two mornings waving him away. The bird seems none the worse for his repeated beak pecks at our windows.

I’m not sure the bird film we’re installing on campus would keep this sparrow away.

Regardless, I am pleased with the success our Princeton students have had preventing bird deaths on campus. Patrick, Claire and their fellow birders have made a difference here, and I’m sure they will make a difference in our world in the years ahead. 🦅