raising the costs of windows, potentially lowering energy efficiency (which harms the ecosystem far more), not to mention the complete lunacy of trying to regulate what types of windows/protections will stop birds from flying into buildings..... sorry, I just find it quite comical.
It is actually a serious problem. Minimal changes to a building including fitting glass with an ultraviolet pattern that birds can see, but is virtually invisible to humans can provide marked improvements. It would only affect the first 20 metres or of a building and not the entire structure.
Studies, including one from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, show up to a billion birds die throughout North America each year from slamming into buildings.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=8351654
Other measures could include.
o Altering glass angle to decrease reflectance
o Increase glass opacity with etchings, decals, or shades to decrease light emitted
o Install overhangs over windows and large glass structures/walls
o Install landscape and structural screens to minimise effects of large windows and the glow emitted from within buildings
o Maximising the number of offices that turn off all lights after sunset
o Requiring the closing of window blinds, louvres, or shades after daylight hours
o Staggering the timing of light use
o Managing lights via training of security personnel- i.e. staff are provided with bird identification books and how to deal with dead and injured birds
o Providing advice to building occupants about collision and attraction minimisation strategies.
