Birds are an important part of what makes southwestern New Mexico special, and our latest project is helping to protect them!
The Bird Alliance of Southwestern New Mexico has sponsored the installation of bird-friendly window treatments at the Silver City Visitor Center to raise awareness of window collisions and to help prevent birds along the creek from colliding with the building’s windows.
Window collisions are a major cause of bird deaths (up to one billion annually) across North America. Glass can reflect trees, sky, and other natural surroundings, making windows appear to be safe places to fly. Birds may also try to fly through glass when they see plants or open space reflected on the other side. Special window treatments make glass more visible to birds, helping them recognize a barrier and avoid a potentially deadly collision.
The Visitor Center project is part of our commitment to protecting the rich birdlife of the Gila region, home to more than 300 bird species. While large buildings often receive attention for bird collisions, homes and other low-rise buildings can also pose serious risks. Making windows safer is a simple, practical step that residents, businesses, and public buildings can take to help birds. Bird conservation begins with each of us.
By making the Visitor Center’s windows safer for birds, we hope to protect wildlife there and encourage others in the community to look at their own windows as an opportunity to make a difference. Stop by the Visitor Center today and have a look yourself!
For more information about bird-friendly windows, visit our Bird-Friendly Home Habitats page.
