Abstract (300 words maximum)

Does precipitation shape bird collision risk in metro-Atlanta?

Authors: Halimah Budeir, Courtney Linkous, Adam Betuel, Sarah Guindre-Parker

Institutions: Kennesaw State University (AC, CL, SGP) and Georgia Audubon (AB)

Abstract:

One of the leading causes of avian mortality in North America is window and building collisions. Prior research indicates that the factors linked to higher collision rates are the presence of low-rise buildings, buildings with large windows, the presence of nearby vegetation, and bird migration patterns. Over the course of six years, The Audubon Society’s “Project Safe Flight Georgia” surveyed several routes around the metro Atlanta area. Researchers and volunteers recorded bird collisions found on the set routes. The majority of the data was collected during the spring and autumn migration seasons between the years 2016 and 2021. According to the growing amount of literature on this topic, one factor that seems to vary by region is the influence of weather patterns, specifically rainfall, on collision rates. Using the Weather Underground Historical database we compared the total rainfall in the region to the number of collisions reported across months. We expect that weather will decrease visibility and cause birds to fly lower or seek shelter, increasing collision rates. We present our results for metro-Atlanta collisions, which have implications for understanding how environmental conditions may affect collision risk for birds.

Academic department under which the project should be listed

CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

Primary Investigator (PI) Name

Sarah Guindre-Parker

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Does precipitation shape bird collision risk in metro-Atlanta?

Does precipitation shape bird collision risk in metro-Atlanta?

Authors: Halimah Budeir, Courtney Linkous, Adam Betuel, Sarah Guindre-Parker

Institutions: Kennesaw State University (AC, CL, SGP) and Georgia Audubon (AB)

Abstract:

One of the leading causes of avian mortality in North America is window and building collisions. Prior research indicates that the factors linked to higher collision rates are the presence of low-rise buildings, buildings with large windows, the presence of nearby vegetation, and bird migration patterns. Over the course of six years, The Audubon Society’s “Project Safe Flight Georgia” surveyed several routes around the metro Atlanta area. Researchers and volunteers recorded bird collisions found on the set routes. The majority of the data was collected during the spring and autumn migration seasons between the years 2016 and 2021. According to the growing amount of literature on this topic, one factor that seems to vary by region is the influence of weather patterns, specifically rainfall, on collision rates. Using the Weather Underground Historical database we compared the total rainfall in the region to the number of collisions reported across months. We expect that weather will decrease visibility and cause birds to fly lower or seek shelter, increasing collision rates. We present our results for metro-Atlanta collisions, which have implications for understanding how environmental conditions may affect collision risk for birds.

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