Birds behave as if sheet glass is invisible to them. They kill themselves striking clear and reflective panes in all types and sizes of human-built structures the world over. The killing is indiscriminate, taking the fit and unfit species, of any age category- both common and of conservation concern. Window-kills occur in the billions worldwide annually. The victims are always unintended, unnecessary, harmless, and have no voice or other means to protect themselves.
The science documenting this significant scale of loss has been known for decades, but only recently have meaningful efforts to address the problem occurred. Here, Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr., describes and summarizes the challenges and solutions to this important conservation issue for birds and people that can be used by, among others, architects and developers, legislators, legal professionals, urban planners, and homeowners alike.
Unlike the complexities of other environmental challenges, such as climate change, this important conservation issue for birds and people can be solved, and the means to do so are described within the pages of this work to guide this worthy effort.
The author's 44 years of scientific research have revealed answers to create proven bird-safe products for sale. This book ultimately tries to make the case that such a commitment is worthwhile and needed.
Daniel Klem, Jr. is Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology in the Department of Biology at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Renee A. (Mucci) Klem are the proud parents of Heather Anne, Robyn Lynne, and Daniel Joseph Klem. He grew up in Larksville, Edwardsville, and Kingston within the Wyoming Valley and surrounding mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. He was formally educated in the Larksville School District, Saint Hedwigs Roman Catholic Church School (Edwardsville), Kingston School District (1964, Kingston High School), Wilkes College (1968, B.A. Biology, now Wilkes University), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Hofstra University (1973, M.A. Biology, Hempstead, New York), and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (1979, Ph.D.). He performed distinguished service in the United States Army from 1968-1971. For the last 47 years and continuing to the present he studies, writes, and teaches about birds. His most prestigious awards are the students and professional colleagues he has interested in bird study. He guided and encouraged Sarkis Acopian of Easton, Pennsylvania to financially support the establishment of the Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College, and the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, Kempton, Pennsylvania. He led and co-authored the scientific part of the Birds of Armenia Project (BOA) whose principal goal was to use bird study to promote an environmental ethic and the preservation of natural lands in the Republic of Armenia from 1992-2000. Most of his current research consists of using detailed observations and experiments to evaluate novel bird-window collision deterrent prototypes, preparing review papers describing the historic and lastest means to save birds from windows, and serving as a technical consultant to glass manufacturers developing bird-safe sheet glass, various national and international conservation organizations, and local, regional, and federal government agencies the world over.
