10/14/2026
Fall is a season of change, and for most of our birds that means migrating to warmer climates as the bounty of spring and summer becomes scarce. For small birds and, particularly, their young for which this is a first attempt, migration is a treacherous time. Leaving breeding territories means losing known food sources and hiding places while increasing exposure to the threat of predators and vagaries of weather. For many, though, the greatest dangers are often due to human-made obstacles. Artificial lights attract and disorient birds, while windows, towers, and hydro lines can be invisible to them. On a recent short walk downtown of just 3 blocks, Curator of Zoology, Dr. Randy Mooi, found a first-year cedar waxwing stunned from a window strike that he quickly scooped from a busy street (hoping it might recover in a safer spot; image 1), and a dead clay-coloured sparrow that was also a likely window strike casualty (image 2). The sparrow is one of what is estimated to be over ONE BILLION birds killed each year from building strikes across North America. Cities also have some of the highest densities of bird predators - our dogs and, especially, cats kill over two billion birds each year!
So, let's show our birds a little love this fall, and every migration period, with these simple actions:
- Dim the lights: encourage buildings to shut off their lights at night;
- Make windows visible: there are several products that can reduce window strikes;
- Restrain our pets: keep our pets on a leash or indoors;
- Plant bird-friendly gardens: use native plants that provide shelter and food for birds;
- Protect insects: most birds rely on insects for food, so avoid using pesticides;
- Purchase sustainable foods: buying shade-grown coffee and chocolate encourages native habitat where our birds overwinter.
You can get to know some of Manitoba's birds and learn about migration by visiting the Museum's galleries. Plan your visit today at ManitobaMuseum.ca
Images ©R. Mooi
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Alt text 1: A small, brown bird with a pointed beak, black mask, and yellow tips to its tail feathers sitting and resting on a stone in a city garden.
Alt text 2: A deceased, small, striped, brown sparrow with a gray neck resting on the fingers of one hand.
