Chicago is under a high bird-migration alert through Sunday night, September 20, with tens of thousands of birds expected to fly over the city each evening.
This alert follows reports of millions of birds migrating across Illinois in recent days. According to BirdCast, more than 825 million birds are expected to travel across the U.S. during this migration season.
That means Chicago’s “Lights Out” program is especially important right now—residents and building managers are urged to switch off nonessential lights overnight to help keep migrating birds safe. According to the City of Chicago, this simple move could save an estimated 10,000 birds each year.
“Lights Out”: Why skyscrapers and residents are turning off nonessential night lighting
Chicago’s skyscrapers may be stunning after dark, but they can be disorienting for migrating birds. Bright lights can throw off their navigation, causing them to circle illuminated buildings until they become exhausted or, tragically, collide with the glass.
Everything to know about Chicago’s ‘Lights Out’ program
Guidelines for the “Lights Out” program according to the City of Chicago:
- Draw curtains or blinds to minimize light escaping from the building.
- Use timers to ensure lights are only on when necessary, if at all.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting.
- Utilize lower-intensity lighting whenever feasible.
- In outdoor public areas where lighting is essential for safety, avoid “light trespass” by using fixtures that direct light downward rather than horizontally or upward.
- Use desk lamps or task lighting for security desks and workstations instead of overhead lighting.
- Schedule cleaning crews to work during daylight or early evening hours rather than after 11 PM.
- Avoid illuminating interior plants or fountains that may attract birds.
- Use “zone-capable” interior lighting systems to provide selective rather than full-area illumination.
