THESIS OVERVIEW
Birds contribute to ecosystem function and deliver valuable ecosystem services to human societies. Furthermore, human–nature relationships are part of a good (i.e. eudaimonic) life, and for city-dwellers, that can include the observation of birds interacting with the environment. However, global bird populations are threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors. Climate change and habitat loss impoverish bird biodiversity through indirect pathways. Meanwhile, events that directly kill birds include depredation by cats, exposure to toxins, entrapment, and collisions with human-made structures. Although window strikes are only one among many threats, they have recently received public attention, in part because collision mortality can be mitigated through bird-safe glass and other bird-friendly design measures. Mitigating collision mortality requires a solid, scientific understanding of collision phenomena.
This two-chapter thesis focuses on collisions within urban core environments in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Chapters 1 and 2 explore complementary dimensions of bird–window collisions. Chapter 1 examines spatial patterns using 10 years of collision data collected by citizen scientists. Because those data are from migration seasons, the ecological context is birds locating and using stopover sites to refuel. My goal in Chapter 1 is to learn from key collision hotspots in order to inform bird-safe practices. To accomplish this, I test the hypothesis that more birds collide with skyways than buildings. Additionally, I re-test a model in which environmental factors—such as nearby vegetation and proximity to a river—explain collision risk because they attract birds to an area. In contrast, for Chapter 2, I directly observe how many birds are in an area, and use that information to learn about collision processes. Chapter 2’s ecological context is the breeding season. I ask, given a local bird population of certain size, how many birds strike windows? Further, I ask if mortality rates vary among species groups. Lastly, I pose a novel hypothesis that bird body size plays a role in collision susceptibility.
Bird–building collisions are part of a greater conversation on how people relate with nature, especially within human-dominated landscapes. Designing bird-safe environments that reduce preventable harm brings ethical as well as biodiversity benefits. This is especially relevant in our increasingly urbanized world where conservationists engage city dwellers to monitor, protect, and appreciate biodiversity.
This two-chapter thesis focuses on collisions within urban core environments in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Chapters 1 and 2 explore complementary dimensions of bird–window collisions. Chapter 1 examines spatial patterns using 10 years of collision data collected by citizen scientists. Because those data are from migration seasons, the ecological context is birds locating and using stopover sites to refuel. My goal in Chapter 1 is to learn from key collision hotspots in order to inform bird-safe practices. To accomplish this, I test the hypothesis that more birds collide with skyways than buildings. Additionally, I re-test a model in which environmental factors—such as nearby vegetation and proximity to a river—explain collision risk because they attract birds to an area. In contrast, for Chapter 2, I directly observe how many birds are in an area, and use that information to learn about collision processes. Chapter 2’s ecological context is the breeding season. I ask, given a local bird population of certain size, how many birds strike windows? Further, I ask if mortality rates vary among species groups. Lastly, I pose a novel hypothesis that bird body size plays a role in collision susceptibility.
Bird–building collisions are part of a greater conversation on how people relate with nature, especially within human-dominated landscapes. Designing bird-safe environments that reduce preventable harm brings ethical as well as biodiversity benefits. This is especially relevant in our increasingly urbanized world where conservationists engage city dwellers to monitor, protect, and appreciate biodiversity.
Chapter abstracts available by request
Research advised by Dr. Rob Blair at the University of Minnesota
Research advised by Dr. Rob Blair at the University of Minnesota