"Rising Bird Deaths in Chicago: Urgent Measures to Prevent Window Collisions"

Nearly 1,000 migrating songbirds died after colliding with windows at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago. The incident was attributed to a combination of prime migration conditions, rain, and the low-slung exhibition hall's lights and window-lined walls. Window strikes are a common issue in major U.S. cities, with hundreds of millions of birds estimated to die annually. Birds, particularly those migrating at night, are attracted and confused by bright lights, leading to fatal collisions. Preventive measures such as dimming lights and incorporating bird-friendly designs in buildings can help mitigate these incidents. The National Audubon Society's Lights Out program encourages cities to turn off or dim lights during migration months, and Chicago has participated in the initiative.