NU Bird Collisions Prompt Calls for Building Upgrades
Dozens of birds were found dead or injured near Northwestern's Kellogg Global Hub on Oct. 17, prompting advocates to push for safety changes.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Bird Watching
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Witnesses recovered 35 injured and 12 dead birds near Northwestern's Kellogg Global Hub on Oct. 17, after birds collided with the building's reflective glass. Advocates have called for safety upgrades to campus buildings to reduce collisions.
Why it matters
Northwestern sits along the Mississippi Flyway, a major migration corridor, and the Global Hub's reflective surfaces pose a known hazard to birds. The incident highlights ongoing tension between campus architecture and wildlife protection in Evanston.
Witnesses recovered 35 injured and 12 dead birds near the Kellogg Global Hub on Oct. 17, and the University says it installed bird frit film on the building this year. The extraction does not report whether the film has reduced collisions since installation.
The players
Northwestern University
A private research university in Evanston, Illinois, known for its professional schools and sprawling Evanston campus.
Evanston City Council
The elected governing body of Evanston, which adopted a bird-friendly building ordinance in 2022.
The details
Shifting night winds brought birds to campus at daybreak to forage for insects, and many flew into the reflected oak trees and sky on the Global Hub's glass before falling to the pavement. The University's Oct. 20 email attributed the collisions to a windstorm, while NU has also directed staff to turn off interior lights and lower shades during migration seasons.
Timeline
Oct. 17, 2025: Mass bird collision occurs at the Kellogg Global Hub.
Oct. 20, 2025: The University emails the community attributing the collisions to a windstorm.
Wednesday (Nov. 5, 2025): A University spokesperson tells The Daily about mitigation measures.
Culture Shift
The collisions at the Kellogg Global Hub arrive two years after Evanston's 2022 bird-friendly building ordinance, testing whether local rules are changing how large campus buildings handle glass. Growing attention to urban bird mortality reflects a broader shift toward treating building design as a wildlife concern.
Residents who enjoy birding around Northwestern's campus may notice fewer birds near reflective buildings during migration if the University's lighting and glass measures are applied consistently. Those who find injured birds can help by reporting them to local wildlife rescue groups.
The takeaway
Small changes such as turning off interior lights and lowering shades during migration can reduce bird strikes near tall glass buildings. Anyone who spots injured birds on campus can help by reporting them promptly.
Further reading
Explore more on Bird Watching to see how migration patterns shape what birders encounter in Evanston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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