36th Annual Student Research Conference
Bird Window Strike Prevalence at Truman State University
Matthew Gilley*, Julia Welsch, Trace Ackley, and Addie VandeWalle
Dr. Joanna Hubbard and Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Faculty Mentors
In the United States, bird-window collisions, or window strikes are a leading cause in bird mortality. It is widely accepted that migratory birds are particularly susceptible to window strikes due to their propensity for flying toward artificial light sources. Many bird species are unable to perceive glass as a barrier due to its transparent and reflective qualities. Several buildings on Truman’s campus possess long stretches of windows or high window surface area, which may contribute to bird mortality. Recent studies have focused on windows strikes in urban landscapes on the east coast of the US. We have initiated this long-term study to evaluate window strike prevalence in a rural landscape along the Mississippi flyway. We aim to inform the campus community about this issue through a poster presentation. This study will start the development of a campus collision report, explore mitigation strategies, and overall increase Truman’s wildlife stewardship.
Keywords: Avian Window Strikes, Avian Mortality, Dark-Sky, Avian Conservation
Topic(s):Biology
Environmental Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 4-7
Location: Student Union Building Activities Room
Time: 3:00