Record Migratory Bird Deaths in NYC Again

This year, for the second consecutive time, an alarming number of migratory birds have lost their lives flying into the skyscrapers of New York City, which are often hard to see due to their glass facades.

During the recent fall migration, at least 1,250 birds—mostly warblers and flickers—met unfortunate fates, surpassing last year’s record. However, the true death toll is likely higher, with more birds migrating through the city than in past years.

Dr. Dustin Partridge, the Director of Conservation Science at NYC Bird Alliance, noted that “Bird collisions will increase by 7% in fall 2025, with over 1,250 collisions documented in buildings we surveyed.” He added that since they only monitor a limited number of buildings, and just once each morning, the recorded figures represent only a small fraction of the actual number of collisions. Even slight increases in these numbers point to a larger issue across the city.

This spike in bird fatalities coincides with an overall record migration season. In October, more than 1.25 billion birds were reported migrating through the city in a single night—the highest number recorded in ten years. Remarkably, this figure even exceeded the previous month’s record of 1.2 billion.

Partridge explained that as the number of birds increases, so do collisions. The city’s growing brightness, with more illuminated buildings, disorients birds, often leading them towards glass structures, which they cannot perceive as barriers. Many birds, mistaking glass for open sky, suffer fatal injuries upon impact.

Collisions have become a leading cause of wildlife fatalities, with estimates suggesting over 250,000 birds die in New York City each year. The NYC Bird Alliance relies on over 150 volunteers to search for injured or incapacitated birds around more than 80 hotspots. Sadly, many don’t survive due to their injuries.

The volunteers’ reach is limited; many birds go undocumented, being picked up by city cleaners or becoming prey for larger animals, like rats. The organization often focuses on areas known to be particularly deadly for birds, largely concentrated around the city’s well-known glass towers.

This year, outside One Liberty Plaza, at least 28 deceased birds were found. Similarly, last year saw 13 birds killed and several injured at One World Trade Center, alongside further casualties at the nearby Perelman Performing Arts Center. The reflective Circa Central Park building has also once again proven deadly, with 34 birds reported as casualties in the vicinity.

There have also been significant bird deaths reported along Long Island City’s developing waterfront, with around 30 birds found dead or injured in the Hunter’s Point area.

Concerns persist among bird advocates about continuing mortality rates as urban development progresses without adequate protections for avian life. Proposed legislative measures aim to curtail unnecessary nighttime lighting during migration periods and mandate bird-friendly designs for new constructions that minimize reflective glass.

“There’s a straightforward way to decrease bird collisions with buildings,” Partridge stated, “and it starts with everyone in New York doing their part: turn off unnecessary lights at night during migration seasons, and consider using patterns or decals on windows to prevent reflections.”