If you encounter a dead or stunned bird due to window strike on Yale’s campus or in the greater New Haven area, please document it via our “Yale & New Haven Bird-Window Collisions” project on iNaturalist. iNaturalist is a free citizen science app that can be accessed via a smartphone or web browser. In addition to contributing to scientific research, these data is very helpful for identifying buildings and facades that are killing birds frequently and for advocating for mitigation action to prevent future bird deaths.

How to Report a Bird Collision:

If you have an iNaturalist account or are willing to create one:

1. Photograph the bird from several angles (to help with species identification) and photograph the location (to help with facade identification).

2. Log in to the citizen science app iNaturalist from your computer or smart phone.

3. Join our iNaturalist project “Yale & New Haven Bird-Window Collisions” by clicking the “join project” button in the upper right hand corner of the project page.

4. Upload the photos, tag the location, and add the bird directly to our project: “Yale & New Haven Bird-Window Collisions,” where experts can help identify or confirm the species. Please include the address where the bird was found and as much information as possible about the specific location as possible about the specific location — i.e. “Yale SOM Building, 165 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, west facade of building, about five feet from the transparent glass doors at the front entrance.” Please also note if the bird was removed, collected, or taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

If you do not have an iNaturalist account and prefer not to create one:

Photograph the bird from several angles (to help with species identification) and photograph the location where you found it (to help with facade identification) Please fill out this online form with the photo and information about the bird you observed. The Yale Bird-Friendly Building Initiative team will record the observation in iNaturalist for you. Thank you!

How to Collect a Dead Bird for the Yale Peabody Museum:

• In addition to reporting the collision, please consider collecting the bird and donating it to the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History ornithological collection. The museum holds the required federal and state permits authorizing it to salvage birds found dead. Preserved museum specimens serve as verifiable and permanent records, are a source of genetic material, and can used for research and education. Please follow these steps when collecting a dead bird:

1. Place the carcass in an airtight plastic bag (Ziploc-type). Wear disposable plastic gloves or use a tool to avoid touching the bird with bare hands.

2. Record the date, a detailed description of the place where the bird was found (street address, building façade), your name, and your contact information on a slip of paper. Place the slip of paper in the bag with the carcass.

3. Store the bagged specimen in a freezer until you arrange a drop-off at the Peabody Museum. Email Dr. Kristof Zyskowski to arrange the specimen transfer.