While certainly don’t see Texas as a flyover state, but it is the case for many birds. It actually serves as a crucial pathway for their migration. According to BBC, around two billion birds, roughly one-third of the total bird population in the US, pass through Texas each year seeking nesting grounds and food. Among these migrants are various species of warblers, sparrows, and other small songbirds.
The reason behind this avian traffic is Texas’s strategic location at the convergence of two major migratory routes: the Mississippi Flyway and Central Americas Flyway, stretching from Mexico to Canada. This incredible journey spans thousands of miles from the southern regions of Mexico to the northern reaches of Canada.
However, this migration is fraught with challenges. Birds must contend with storms, fog, predators, and particularly hazardous to them, artificial light. BBC reports that between 365 million and one billion birds collide with buildings in the US, with more than half of these collisions involving low-rise structures. Despite this, tall buildings like skyscrapers pose a disproportionately large threat, capable of causing mass fatalities during migration seasons.
In response to a notable incident in Galveston, where numerous birds collided with a building, the Houston Audubon and American National Insurance Company collaborated on an initiative. Originally a city-wide effort, it expanded statewide into the “Lights Out, Texas!” campaign. This initiative urges owners of skyscrapers, convention centers, and other large buildings to switch off unnecessary lights from 11 pm to 6 am during the spring (March to June) and fall (August to November) migration periods.
Individuals can also contribute by following similar practices, such as reducing outdoor lighting and closing blinds at night. Encouragingly, data from McCormick Place in Chicago shows a 60% decrease in fatal bird collisions when lights are switched off during migration periods.