Abstract

GOMEZ-MORENO, Vannia del C.; GONZALEZ-GAONA, Othón J.; NINO-MALDONADO, Santiago  and  LUCIO-MARTINEZ, Miriam E.. Bird mortality caused by collision in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Huitzil [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.1, e649.  Epub Oct 20, 2023. ISSN 1870-7459.  https://doi.org/10.28947/hrmo.2023.24.1.697.

It has been estimated that 42 to 365 million birds die each year in North America due to collisions with windows. However, the magnitude of species affected by collision with windows is unknown for Latin American countries that have high avian diversity. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to analyze the richness of species affected by windows, and determine the characteristics (type of glass and nearby vegetation) that influence bird mortality in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. We conducted surveys that consisted of searching for dead or injured birds in buildings with facades or windows in different areas of the city. In addition, we compiled citizen information to complement the list of species affected by buildings in the city. We obtained 474 records of accidents, which corresponded to 82 species of birds. The most frequent species were Zenaida asiatica, Turdus grayi, and Columbina passerina. Reflective glass generated the highest bird mortality, as did the presence of nearby vegetation. The number of species affected was high in comparison with studies carried out in the other regions of the country (Jalisco and Tamaulipas). In addition, several of the affected species are threatened nationally and internationally, and others are endemic to Mexico. Therefore, it is important to avoid reflective glass, as well as a tree-window combination, as these attract birds and run the highest risk of collisions.

Keywords : Avifauna; bird mortality; bird-window collision; buildings; reflective glass; Kernel Quartic density.

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