Louisiana Urges Residents to Turn Off Lights During Peak Bird Migration

Wildlife group calls for reduced lighting to help millions of birds safely pass through the state

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex migratory patterns of birds across a vast natural landscape.An abstract visualization of the intricate migratory patterns of birds traversing the Mississippi Flyway, a critical passage through Louisiana during the spring season.Baton Rouge Today

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is encouraging residents and businesses across the state to turn off non-essential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the peak spring bird migration season, which runs until May 31. Louisiana is part of the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory path, and BirdCast forecasts predict over 150 million birds will be crossing the state this Friday night alone.

Why it matters

Bright artificial lights can disorient and endanger migrating birds, causing them to collide with buildings or become exhausted. The Lights Out initiative aims to reduce these hazards and help the millions of birds safely pass through Louisiana during their spring migration.

The details

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation has provided specific guidelines for the Lights Out program, including turning off non-essential outdoor lighting, aiming security lights downwards, using motion sensors, and closing blinds to limit light seen through windows. These measures are especially important for buildings over three stories tall, which pose greater risks to migrating birds.

  • The peak spring bird migration season in Louisiana runs from now until May 31, 2026.
  • Over 150 million birds are predicted to migrate through Louisiana this Friday night, April 17, 2026.

The players

Louisiana Wildlife Federation

A nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving Louisiana's natural resources and wildlife.

BirdCast

A real-time bird migration forecasting and tracking system that provides data on bird movements across the United States.

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What’s next

The Lights Out initiative will continue through the end of the peak spring bird migration season on May 31, 2026.

The takeaway

By taking simple steps to reduce unnecessary lighting, Louisiana residents can play a vital role in helping millions of migrating birds safely pass through the state during this critical time of year.