MAINE PUBLIC • November 12, 2024
Striking buildings is one of the leading causes of bird mortality in the U.S., killing nearly a billion birds every year. But recent modifications to the deadliest building for birds in Portland shows injuries and fatalities can be avoided. Volunteers for Maine Audubon regularly found large numbers of dead birds around MEMIC's building on Commercial Street during annual surveys, according to outreach manager Nick Lund. In some years, more than 30 killed or injured birds were found near the six-story building, Lund said. But exterior decals installed on three stories of windows have reversed that trend and saved lives. "We found during our fall surveys, zero dead birds back there which is a complete validation of the time and effort it took MEMIC to put those up, and a real proof of concept for bird safe window technologies," Lund said.