During bird migration season, birds from the north fly to the south to survive cold winter. Migration journeys are often risk-laden, sometimes even fatal. Habitat loss and bird-hunting are only a few examples. Here we'd like to introduce one of the hidden deathtraps in our urban environment ── Bird collision.

Bird collision occurs when a bird fails to perceive glass structure as barrier and crashes into it. Window collision can result in bird mortality. But how to judge if a dead bird was killed in collision? Have a look at the surroundings. If it matches the following criteria, it's probably a bird collision [1]:
1. Bird’s body remains intact, with signs of broken bones or blood spitting. Fewer visible injuries
2. Structures found within 2m of dead bird, e.g. exterior wall and noise barrier, are made of glass or reflective materials 
3. Surface of collision can reflect natural landscape, e.g. trees, mountains and distant sceneries 

What should we do when we encounter collision-related bird deaths? First, you may report the case to AFCD via 1823. If you find an injured or baby wild bird, please follow KFBG guidelines. Second, you can report suspected cases of bird collision with the necessary information (i.e. date of collision, Location, Photo of injured or dead bird, Status of bird, Species (optional), Side of building, Detailed field notes (optional) to Global Bird Collision Mapper, or send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Hopefully the data collected will help monitor the bird collision in Hong Kong, and serve to promote bird-friendly building designs and to protect countless birds from harm.

GBCM is an online geo-mapping tool designed for registered users to report the locations of bird collisions with buildings and is available on desktop and mobile devices. The database is international and can be seen by anyone who visits the webpage.

Creating an Account
Visit birdmapper.org and register using the symbol in the top right corner
Reporting a Collision
Select the menu in the top left corner Select "Report a Collision"
Input Detailed Information
1.  Select location by either: Zooming in on the map and selecting the desired location by using the + or – icons on the left side of the map Clicking the button for geolocation Typing in an address in the search bar at the top right of the site
2.  Attach a photo to aid in identification
3.  Click on the status of the bird as either: Alive (seen, rescued, or escaped) Dead None (no birds found at all) Multiple (multiple birds of the same species alive OR dead)
4.  Search for the species by its common name       If you don't know the species, leave this field "Unknown"
5.  Select the date
6.  Select the side of the building where the bird was found
7.  Include detailed field notes (optional)
8.  Submit your records as an individual OR       Join our team named "Hong Kong Bird Watching Society" To join a GBR Team, please email your username and team name you wish to join (e.g. Hong Kong Bird Watching Society) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., as members need to be added manually.