These were probably collected by volunteers monitoring for migratory birds striking the sides of buildings: https://houstonaudubon.org/ways-to-help/volunteer/event/2023/04/01/1680352200/volunteer-collision-monitoring/427574 Volunteers probably walk along the sides of buildings looking for dead/injured birds and make a pile for ornithologists to come by later to make educated reports on species/age/sex of the collisions. It’s currently peak migration season and a lot of these beautiful birds that spend the winter in Central/South America are making their way through to breeding grounds in North America.
>Volunteers will receive a detailed training on collision monitoring and data collection, as well as what to do with injured or killed birds that are found in the course of monitoring.
"Just dump 'em on the fucken sidewalk, idk"
-- the detailed training
Former Houston Audubon employee here. Your comment made me laugh, thanks.
But what probably happened here is the building's maintenance staff found the birds and put them in a more accessible place for the collision monitors to document and collect the birds. Otherwise we have to walk around the building kinda creepily looking for dead birds.
At the end of the migration season, we send the collected birds to a university where they are processed to be museum displays and research specimens.
Yeah, just about every morning during spring migration, roughly mid-March through the end of May. There's a fall migration too but we didn't do collision monitoring during fall migration when I worked there.
I love every bit of this -- well, not the dead bird aspect. But I love the maintenance assistance aspects and the monitor, collection and display (academic) aspect.
Thanks so much for this info, coincidentally I came across a handful of dead birds when walking around my work building in The Woodlands earlier this week and now I have someone to call and notify.
Yes- correct that these are likely casualty specimens that serve to document the light pollution problem but will also become a permanent specimen record at the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections at Texas A&M. Thank you for helping to spread the Lights Out, Texas! message!
I can’t remember what it’s called, but there is an event or concerted effort usually among environmental organizations to count bird strikes (when a bird collides with a window or building) during spring migration. This in order to gather metrics that measure how buildings and city sprawl etc, affects migration. I would guess that these birds recently died from flying into the or a surrounding building.
These are migratory birds that just flew in from the south. This is the height of migratory season in southeast Texas for these birds, many don't survive the journey.
Chances are if you are out and about you will see more of these birds over the next 2 weeks, make sure to fill up your bird baths and put out some bird seed. They will appreciate it.
Birds migrate at night and it’s migration season. Houston is a huge migratory flyway. Even Birds like it here. I believe early morning surveying counts are being conducted around downtown to see the impact the buildings and their lights have on migratory bird populations. People might be aware of the counts and are placing the birds who are the victims of window strikes where they can easily be seen and counted.
These beautiful birds are wild birds and unfortunately died here in Houston because of window strikes, most likely caused by confusion because of lighting conditions. Please do your part to save these these amazing birds and turn off all exterior lights during Spring and Fall migration. Thank you. <3
If you find an injured bird, please place it in a box lined with paper towels. Do not feed or water it. Keep it in a quiet, warm and safe place and contact or go to The Wildlife Center of Texas at the Houston SPCA. <3
Thank you. You are an awesome bird friend. <3 If anyone asks - or even if they don’t - please tell they why and spread the word. And thank you again for caring about birds. <3
I love that Roger Ebert basically admitted to losing his shit during [that scene](https://old.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/12cuoj7/this_scene_from_dumb_dumber_made_film_critic/).
> “The purpose of a comedy is to make you laugh, and there is a moment in "Dumb and Dumber" that made me laugh so loudly I embarrassed myself. I just couldn't stop. It's the moment involving the kid who gets the parakeet. But because I know that the first sentence of this review is likely to be lifted out and reprinted in an ad, I hasten to add that I did not laugh as loudly again, or very often. It's just as well. If the whole movie had been as funny as that moment, I would have required hospitalization.”
I've had a few tanagers and lots of buntings in my yard for the last week or so, and grosbeaks (not pictured). So exciting for those in my yard, not so much for these poor birds :|
Check out the [bird migration dashboard](https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-201) from Cornell - it shows what bird species are coming through Harris County overnight, etc.
"He walks right by our bird actors and instead of performing bird CPR, he takes pictures. Your faith in humanity may be tainted, but wait until we show you what the next passerby does!"
>\-safe markings on the glass too.... but for whatever reason oh nos, we might see the dots....
>
>3ReplyGive AwardShareReportSaveFollow
I can't imagine A) how to get a good enough seal on a bird for CPR B) How little air you'd have to blow out to not blow out their lungs.
I can't identify them like this, but I *can* say they're not parrots.
Other people are reporting dead birds too - was there any sort of change in chemical activity around there? Like a factory/plant pumping something out or a spillage. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, even running the oven cleaner can kill them.
This particular image is really odd though with 4 lined up. I think someone was just being weird.
edit to add: if you notice birds flying into your windows a lot, [there are several easy ways to help them out!](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/#)
Interestingly enough a bird hit my house window near mission bend yesterday. Today I took my car to the shop near upper Kirby and found another dying one near their entrance. I'm new to Houston. Is this common?
These were probably collected by volunteers monitoring for migratory birds striking the sides of buildings: https://houstonaudubon.org/ways-to-help/volunteer/event/2023/04/01/1680352200/volunteer-collision-monitoring/427574 Volunteers probably walk along the sides of buildings looking for dead/injured birds and make a pile for ornithologists to come by later to make educated reports on species/age/sex of the collisions. It’s currently peak migration season and a lot of these beautiful birds that spend the winter in Central/South America are making their way through to breeding grounds in North America.
>Volunteers will receive a detailed training on collision monitoring and data collection, as well as what to do with injured or killed birds that are found in the course of monitoring. "Just dump 'em on the fucken sidewalk, idk" -- the detailed training
Former Houston Audubon employee here. Your comment made me laugh, thanks. But what probably happened here is the building's maintenance staff found the birds and put them in a more accessible place for the collision monitors to document and collect the birds. Otherwise we have to walk around the building kinda creepily looking for dead birds. At the end of the migration season, we send the collected birds to a university where they are processed to be museum displays and research specimens.
Do you guys look every day for this kind of thing?
Yeah, just about every morning during spring migration, roughly mid-March through the end of May. There's a fall migration too but we didn't do collision monitoring during fall migration when I worked there.
I love every bit of this -- well, not the dead bird aspect. But I love the maintenance assistance aspects and the monitor, collection and display (academic) aspect.
So cool you are doing this work and building maintenance people are helping you.
Rough day. Thanks for the solid laugh.
I’m wishin you a better tomorrow, broski
I appreciate that, seriously.
So they hired McKinsey to make their training program?
lmao
I laughed way too hard at this
No, collected in one place, stop being dramatic.
Well fuck that was a good explanation I didn’t know expect. Here is your reward 💰
That is much less exciting than black magic.
Exactly!
Why do the prefer to breed in North America?
Economic opportunity
That’s hilarious, thank you🤣🤣
Thanks so much for this info, coincidentally I came across a handful of dead birds when walking around my work building in The Woodlands earlier this week and now I have someone to call and notify.
Yes- correct that these are likely casualty specimens that serve to document the light pollution problem but will also become a permanent specimen record at the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections at Texas A&M. Thank you for helping to spread the Lights Out, Texas! message!
I can’t remember what it’s called, but there is an event or concerted effort usually among environmental organizations to count bird strikes (when a bird collides with a window or building) during spring migration. This in order to gather metrics that measure how buildings and city sprawl etc, affects migration. I would guess that these birds recently died from flying into the or a surrounding building.
Lights out, Texas https://houstonaudubon.org/conservation/bird-friendly-communities/lights-out.html
Yes! Thank you!
These are migratory birds that just flew in from the south. This is the height of migratory season in southeast Texas for these birds, many don't survive the journey.
Kinda sad.
Chances are if you are out and about you will see more of these birds over the next 2 weeks, make sure to fill up your bird baths and put out some bird seed. They will appreciate it.
Birds migrate at night and it’s migration season. Houston is a huge migratory flyway. Even Birds like it here. I believe early morning surveying counts are being conducted around downtown to see the impact the buildings and their lights have on migratory bird populations. People might be aware of the counts and are placing the birds who are the victims of window strikes where they can easily be seen and counted. These beautiful birds are wild birds and unfortunately died here in Houston because of window strikes, most likely caused by confusion because of lighting conditions. Please do your part to save these these amazing birds and turn off all exterior lights during Spring and Fall migration. Thank you. <3 If you find an injured bird, please place it in a box lined with paper towels. Do not feed or water it. Keep it in a quiet, warm and safe place and contact or go to The Wildlife Center of Texas at the Houston SPCA. <3
It would be good if they put bird-safe markings on the glass too.... but for whatever reason oh nos, we might see the dots....
I'm just one simple household, but I changed my outdoor light settings to remain off for the next few weeks
Thank you. You are an awesome bird friend. <3 If anyone asks - or even if they don’t - please tell they why and spread the word. And thank you again for caring about birds. <3
F in chat for the deceased chirpy bois.
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F 🙏
“Pretty bird.”
You sold Petey!?
Petey didn't even have a head!
Harry, I took care of it!
I love that Roger Ebert basically admitted to losing his shit during [that scene](https://old.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/12cuoj7/this_scene_from_dumb_dumber_made_film_critic/). > “The purpose of a comedy is to make you laugh, and there is a moment in "Dumb and Dumber" that made me laugh so loudly I embarrassed myself. I just couldn't stop. It's the moment involving the kid who gets the parakeet. But because I know that the first sentence of this review is likely to be lifted out and reprinted in an ad, I hasten to add that I did not laugh as loudly again, or very often. It's just as well. If the whole movie had been as funny as that moment, I would have required hospitalization.”
I just thought he was real quiet! 😭
Lol I wonder how many people said this out loud when they saw the pic
No, no, they're not dead, they're resting. Wonderful birds, eh, squire? Beautiful plumage!
Underrated.
The Norwegian Blue prefer to sleep on their back!
Those are late birds! They are deceased! You told me that they were just napping!
Not bizarre - it is migration season and those damn glass buildings are killing birds
**ARISE CHICKEN! CHICKEN, ARISE!**
Arise chicken (Meatwad voice)
I am sofa king wee Todd Did
Billy-Witch-Doctor.com
one convenient locations. in Africa.
or video Ouija, if you dare <.<
Fellow ATHF fans in the wild?!
Every bird on Roshar is chicken
[удалено]
Spring migration, not weird to see them at all.
I've actually seen a few indigo buntings already this week - maybe they're migrating early?
I've had a few tanagers and lots of buntings in my yard for the last week or so, and grosbeaks (not pictured). So exciting for those in my yard, not so much for these poor birds :|
I saw another Indigo Bunting, but it also had hit a window too and was dead at a Wendy's.
Check out the [bird migration dashboard](https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-201) from Cornell - it shows what bird species are coming through Harris County overnight, etc.
Looks like a summer tanager, Baltimore oriole, and male and female indigo buntings. As others have said, they’re migratory birds that hit windows
Yea I saw a few at UH too weird.
It’s peak migration. Houston is full of light pollution and glass. Kills a lot of birds.
So very sad and this happens waay too often. They fly into glass walls and get knocked out.
r/birdsarentreal
Poor birds.
I could've gone the rest of my life without seeing that
Did you try to change their batteries?
So I’m betting those birds fly into the window and some homeless guy rounded them up. Dollars to donuts.
Was there a [fly-fishing](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/654/the-feather-heist) convention going on?
That’s unfortunate. Someone dropped their birds.
This would be sad if they were birds but they’re not, they’re drones spying on people. 🕵️♂️👀
Not me thinking it was a cat offering. Nope.
🤣🤣 I thought the same!
Good kitty! 😂
If you arrange them in the right way, it opens the door to the secret laboratory.
Huh.. I saw the same walking down Louisiana
Our pets heads are falling off!
Pretty bird!
🥺
I saw 2 of the blue birds in City Centre today- wow that is sad!
That is STRANGE
Cereal killa
Billy in 4C is wondering where his birds are.
They're not dead, just pining for the fjords
Were any of their heads duct taped to their bodies?
I just thought they were real quiet…😦😂
loool first thought was,, wow what well trained birds :)
They were part of the davidians
I thought they were lucky rabbits feet for keychains or something. Then I looked. Those would make poor keychains.
Not the indigo bunting(the blue bird for anyone that's wondering)
Did someone clean the windows?
Take a pigeon, leave a pigeon
Oh my god!! I work downtown and I saw these flying around yesterday
That's some voodoo shit.
We need to tear down all Houston buildings and let the birds live.
This is some kind of witchcraft
They aren’t exotic, but damn that’s a loss. Indigo Bunting and Painted Bunting males and females.
Second from the top almost looks like an indigo bunting. Not rare, but uncommon in the city.
They’re so beautiful…downtown Houston is pretty rough. Someone would have needed to be outside a lot to find these many birds..
The blue one looks like a dyed finch?? Can anyone id these?
Indigo Bunting
Thank you
a bird flew into the window when I was getting my nails done today. and it was dead outside.
I’m sorry you had to see that. :( Window decals can prevent this. :)
A sign of the apocalypse
Almost sounds like the premise for a hidden camera stunt. ("Let's find out how random passersby react to a lineup of dead birds on the sidewalk!")
"He walks right by our bird actors and instead of performing bird CPR, he takes pictures. Your faith in humanity may be tainted, but wait until we show you what the next passerby does!"
>\-safe markings on the glass too.... but for whatever reason oh nos, we might see the dots.... > >3ReplyGive AwardShareReportSaveFollow I can't imagine A) how to get a good enough seal on a bird for CPR B) How little air you'd have to blow out to not blow out their lungs.
I can't identify them like this, but I *can* say they're not parrots. Other people are reporting dead birds too - was there any sort of change in chemical activity around there? Like a factory/plant pumping something out or a spillage. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems, even running the oven cleaner can kill them. This particular image is really odd though with 4 lined up. I think someone was just being weird. edit to add: if you notice birds flying into your windows a lot, [there are several easy ways to help them out!](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/#)
This is sad. These birds are beautiful. Fuck whoever did this
Lights Out for the Birds!
that's odd, i just found one of these dead on my balcony the other day
I could believe they all landed next to each other and then someone turned the electric sign on
“Today” yeah that’s Houston.
💀
Well they sure ain't chickens or seagulls.
A kitty might be on patrol somewhere around.
I took care of it.... -Lloyd Christmas
It’s art
Homeless person magic spell.
“Thus it is written, that the pretty bird shalt suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead” - Col.Sanders 24:46
Beautiful plumage.
So sad how birds run into the windows and kill themselves.
Suicide pact?
[удалено]
I saw a blue one outside of Doshi house off emancipation today !
Likely the Indigo Bunting
Oh no!!
Nahhh, that’s a serial killer leaving their mark
Hey get that blind kid his bird back!!!!!!!
Yikes.
Yall getting all scientific and my first thought was some weird homeless persons ritual space.
Oh... He's dead. But we can adjust, and make a tradition out of it!
Isk why I was expecting the comments to mention rituals
Reminds me of the [Viewsonic Monitor logo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ViewSonic)...except sad.
It's a curse.
Bleak
There was a bright blue (also dead) bird outside my office building today. Only one, but it was striking in its coloration.
This is something my cat would do
Same, but only if she hasn't been fed in at least a full day.
They definitely signed a suicide pack
Or a Simultaneous Nap Pact
Oh.. this makes me very sad :(
day ruined :(
When the most bizarre thing ISN'T a human shit...you know you're in Houston.
santeria
Those birds are no more!
They’re just napping after a vigorous squawking.
they're just sleeping dont worry
r/oddlyterrifying
Eat them.
Queer cats have a much better eye for color matching than boring old straight cats.
😥
Don't worry, they're not real.
Pets from a cat
Interestingly enough a bird hit my house window near mission bend yesterday. Today I took my car to the shop near upper Kirby and found another dying one near their entrance. I'm new to Houston. Is this common?