YuLin Zhen, Photography Editor

At Yale, a push for bird-friendly architecture has gained momentum in recent years, with new policies and initiatives aimed at reducing bird collisions with campus buildings.

Yale Facilities, in collaboration with Yale’s Bird-Friendly Initiative, or YBFI, and the Office of Sustainability, is working to incorporate bird-safe design elements into both new and existing buildings. 

Birds often fail to recognize normal glass as a barrier. According to YBFI, “up to one billion birds are killed by window collisions each year in North America, making buildings among the leading human-caused drivers of wild bird mortality.” 

Thus, the YBFI is testing various window film applications with subtle, opaque patterns. These films help birds identify windows as obstacles rather than open flight paths, significantly reducing collisions.

“Our research, conducted in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy’s Glass Collisions Campaign, focuses on identifying and evaluating city, state, and federal policies and strategies that can accelerate the adoption of bird-safe building design at scale beyond Yale’s campus,” said Viveca Morris ’15 ENV ’18 SOM ’19, executive director of YBFI.

The YBFI uses the data it collects on campus to focus its strategies and reduce bird mortality through targeted design interventions. Morris emphasized the importance of data-driven solutions.

Recent efforts have focused on addressing bird collisions at existing buildings with high incidence rates. The YBFI has recorded a significant number of bird strikes at several sites, including Evan’s Hall, with 323 collisions, the Yale Science Building, with 56 collisions and Rosenkranz Hall, with 18 collisions.

Beyond retrofitting existing structures, Yale is incorporating bird-friendly measures into new construction and renovations. Science Hill’s new addition to Wright Laboratory will feature a bird-friendly facade, and renovations at Osborn Memorial Laboratories will include bird-safe glass.

“The current Yale design standard references the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) library of building materials,” Cathy Jackson, the director of planning administration at Yale’s Office of Facilities, wrote to the News. “As new products come to market, or are updated, the ABC tests and rates their threat factor to birds.”

According to Jackson, balancing bird-friendly design with architectural and sustainability goals is key. Window films not only reduce bird collisions but also allow for natural light and outdoor views. Additionally, the University is considering the environmental impact of materials used in bird-friendly designs, advocating for greater transparency in product sustainability.

Yale’s efforts extend beyond campus, with faculty and students actively contributing to broader conversations on bird-friendly design. In February, Yale participated in the Bird Safe Campus Summit, a gathering of researchers, faculty and professionals across North America focused on advancing bird-safe building strategies.

“Our students, faculty, and alumni are a strong knowledge community in New Haven, throughout the country, and globally,” Jackson wrote. “Sharing the work broadly is important, and bringing other approaches back to Yale is always welcome.”

The YBFI offers direct opportunities for students and faculty to get involved, whether through research, advocacy or hands-on efforts to enhance campus sustainability.

The Office of Sustainability is located at 70 Whitney Ave.