McCormick Place Bird Strikes: Chicago’s Bird-Safe Architecture Call

The Tragic Bird Collision at McCormick Place

On the night of October 4–5, 2023, one of the deadliest bird collision events in decades occurred at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois. Nearly 1,000 migrating songbirds perished after colliding with the building's reflective glass windows during their fall migration.

The victims included diverse species such as Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Swainson's Thrushes, critical pollinators and pest controllers in ecosystems across the Americas. Disoriented by the building's bright lights and reflective glass, these birds were unable to navigate safely. This tragedy underscored the urgent need for bird-safe building designs.

A Long History of Bird Deaths at McCormick Place

McCormick Place, North America's largest convention center with over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, has long been a hazard for migratory birds, particularly at its glass-heavy Lakeside Center. Located along a major migratory flyway, the center's reflective windows and bright lights disorient birds, leading to fatal collisions.

Between 1978 and 2023, more than 40,000 bird deaths were recorded at McCormick Place, based on systematic monitoring by the Field Museum and Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. Annual deaths typically ranged from 800 to 1,000, varying with migration patterns, weather, and lighting conditions. These figures reflect recovered carcasses, primarily at Lakeside Center, and may undercount total deaths due to unrecovered birds. This significant loss highlights the environmental impact of glass-heavy architecture in urban areas.

A Million-Dollar Retrofit: A Step Forward

Efforts to address bird strikes at McCormick Place, including participation in Chicago's "Lights Out" program, began before 2023, but the catastrophic October 2023 event spurred further action. McCormick Place invested $1.2 million to retrofit 120,000 square feet of glass with bird-safe film featuring small white dots, making windows visible to birds. Completed in summer 2024, this retrofit reduced bird strikes by 95% during the fall 2024 migration, with only 18 deaths recorded compared to 1,280 in fall 2023 (Axios).

While this retrofit marks significant progress, it came after decades of preventable losses, emphasizing the need for proactive measures in urban planning.

The Global Crisis: Bird Strikes Beyond Chicago

The McCormick Place tragedy reflects a global issue: an estimated 365 million to 1 billion birds die annually from building collisions worldwide, with urban areas posing the greatest risk. Glass-heavy skyscrapers and bright lights disrupt migratory pathways, threatening species critical to ecosystems. Cities like Chicago, New York, and Toronto have introduced "Lights Out" programs and bird-safe building policies, but many urban centers lag in adopting these measures.

Key Solutions for Protecting Birds

To prevent further tragedies, cities and building owners must adopt bird-friendly practices, including:

• Bird-Safe Window Treatments: Applying films, decals, or patterned glass, like McCormick Place's retrofit, significantly reduces collisions.
• "Lights Out" Policies: Dimming or turning off building lights during peak migration periods (spring and fall) prevents disorientation.
• Legislation: Enforcing building codes that mandate bird-friendly designs for new constructions and retrofits ensures long-term safety.
• Public Awareness: Encouraging citizens to report high-risk buildings and advocate for change drives accountability.

A Call to Action: Protecting Migratory Birds Worldwide

The loss of nearly 1,000 birds at McCormick Place in 2023 is a stark reminder of the environmental cost of urban development. To protect migratory birds, we must act collectively:

• Share Awareness: Use social media with hashtags like #ForEarth and #ProtectBirds to highlight the issue.
• Report Problem Buildings: Notify local authorities or wildlife organizations about buildings causing bird strikes.
• Advocate for Change: Urge lawmakers to pass bird-safe building regulations.

By adopting these measures, we can make cities safer for migratory birds, preserving their vital ecological roles for future generations.

Resources for Further Reading

• Bird collisions at McCormick Place drop 95% since last summer
• Nearly 1,000 migrating songbirds perish after crashing into windows at Chicago exhibition hall
• Audubon's Guide to Bird-Safe Building Practices
• Tracking Bird Collisions in Chicago - Field Museum

Join the Movement: Protect Migratory Birds

Spread the word and advocate for bird-friendly cities. Share this article, report hazardous buildings, and support policies that protect migratory birds. The McCormick Place tragedy must inspire a global movement to ensure our urban environments coexist harmoniously with wildlife.