A Safer City for Birds Starts with “Lights Out”
Bird-Friendly Buffalo is a citywide initiative aimed at protecting birds where they live, migrate, and thrive — right here in Western New York. At its heart, this effort connects community-wide conservation actions with science-based practices to make our region a national leader in avian protection. One of the most immediate and impactful ways we can all help? Turn out the lights.
That’s where Lights Out Buffalo comes in.
Bird-Friendly Buffalo creates a powerful, dual-pronged strategy:
- We reduce threats to birds in flight by encouraging building owners and residents to dim or turn off lights between 11 p.m. and dawn, especially April 15–May 31 and August 15–November 15.
- We create bird-safe habitats on the ground by advocating for native plantings, bird-safe glass, window treatments, community science, and public education.
During the spring and fall migration seasons, hundreds of millions of birds pass through our night skies. Many species navigate by the stars, and artificial lights — particularly from skyscrapers, office buildings, and brightly lit homes — can confuse and disorient them. This often leads to deadly collisions with windows or buildings and contributes to exhaustion or predation.
The science is clear: Reducing light pollution saves lives. And it’s a simple, actionable change that every building, business, and household in Buffalo can take part in. By uniting these two efforts under the Bird-Friendly Buffalo banner, we are building a brighter future — ironically by dimming our lights — for the millions of feathered travelers that depend on safe skies and healthy habitat.
Interested in learning more?
Check out these related helpful resources:
Buffalo Audubon Society
Dedicated to connecting with and protecting the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration