Dark Night, Safe Flight

Green-winged teals migrate hundreds of miles to reach warmer winter locations like the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

NPS / M. Jenkins

A bird's migration is not easy. Just like you might need rest stops on a long car ride, birds need special places to rest during their long journeys between their summer and winter homes. Birds face many challenges like storms and rough weather as they fly across entire continents and oceans. But one of the biggest problems comes from something we use every day - lights!

At night, birds use the stars to find their way (pretty cool, right?). But bright lights from buildings, towers, and houses can confuse them. It's like trying to read a map with someone shining a flashlight in your eyes! When birds get confused by these lights, they might crash into buildings or fly in circles until they're too tired to continue.

Biologists estimate that 300 million to nearly one billion birds die annually in such incidents in North America.

Sandhill cranes are strong flyers and can travel 200 - 400 miles per day during migration.

NPS / Jacob Frank

Sadly, hundreds of millions of birds die each year because of bright lights in North America. That's why national parks are so important - they're like bird hotels! Places like Biscayne, Assateague Island, Padre Island, and many more give birds a safe places to rest and eat, especially after flying across the ocean. These parks work hard to keep their skies dark at night so birds can travel safely.

Harlequin ducks migrate in an east-west migratory pattern, which is unusual among ducks, who generally migrate north-south

NPS / Jacob Frank

Want to help our feathered friends? Here's something simple you can do: be mindful of your porch lights at night. Consider reducing the amount of light you use and make sure outdoor lighting is point at the ground. You can also tell your friends and family about how important dark skies are for birds. Together, we can help keep our flying friends safe on their incredible journeys!