NYC Poised to Require ‘Bird-Friendly’ Glass in New Buildings

The New York City Council is on the cusp of passing a new law that would require glass that is “bird-friendly” for all future construction projects in the city.

The legislation is intended to address the problem of the tens of thousands of birds that are said to die each year from flying into the glass of the city’s many buildings. The glass required by the law would be designed with a glazing or a pattern that would help birds see it mid-flight and steer clear of crashing into it.

If passed, NYC would be the largest city in the U.S. with this requirement. The law has already been adopted in a number of liberal cities in California.

According to New York City Audubon, an organization that works and advocates for the protection of birds, the number of birds killed annually from flying into buildings in NYC is somewhere near 100,000-200,000. The organization takes a special interest in rarer birds that have a presence in the city though are less commonly seen.

The proposed legislation has the support of many council members, including Speaker Corey Johnson, and is expected to pass. The Real Estate Board of New York also appears to be on board with the new requirement.