Millions of Birds Migrating Through Miami Need Lights Turned Off

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Millions of songbirds are currently migrating through the Miami area, but many face a deadly risk from the city's bright lights. The Tropical Audubon Society is calling on local residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting at night to help guide the birds safely through their journey.

Why it matters

Bird migration is a critical natural phenomenon, but light pollution from urban areas can disorient and fatally attract migrating birds, causing them to collide with buildings and other structures. Miami's coastal location makes it a major flyway for millions of birds each spring and fall, so reducing light pollution is crucial to protecting these vulnerable populations.

The details

The Tropical Audubon Society, a local conservation group, is urging Miami residents and businesses to turn off all non-essential outdoor lighting during the peak bird migration season, which runs from April through May and again from September through November. Bright city lights can lure birds off course, causing them to become disoriented and crash into buildings or other obstacles.

• The peak bird migration season in Miami runs from April through May and again from September through November.

What’s next

The Tropical Audubon Society is also encouraging residents to report any instances of buildings with excessive lighting during migration season so they can work with property owners to find solutions.