The von Arx Wildlife Hospital is located and part of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. We are located at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, Florida. Call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance.
Within in the past three weeks, we have admitted 26 migratory birds due to window strikes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that as many as one billion birds die each year from window collisions.
Collisions occur both at night and during the day. At night, lights on office buildings draw migratory birds close to buildings. They become disoriented and exhausted, causing them to collide with buildings. Many cities across the United States and Canada are working to save migratory birds by initiating “lights out” programs during peak migration time. This initiative is similar to the “lights out” campaign that exists during sea turtle nesting season.
Some simple solutions to reduce building collisions:
- Shut blinds and shades
- Shield and aim outdoor lights downward
- Turn off all non-essential lights from 11pm to 6am
Collisions during the day occur because birds can’t perceive clear or reflective glass. Windows reflect the sky and trees. Birds perceive the reflection as an open flyway and collide with the glass. These collisions happen when birds strike windows on homes and high-rise office building windows. The key to preventing window strikes is to make birds aware of expanses of glass. Many solutions are easy and cost effective and don’t have to be applied year round – at a minimum, take collision mitigating actions during spring and fall migration and help save birds.
There are many ways to prevent birds from colliding with both residential and commercial windows.
Ruddy Duck
Recently, a ruddy duck was admitted to our wildlife hospital. The ruddy duck was admitted after it was found on Cape Romano Beach unable to fly. The bird had a small laceration on its leg and staff proceeded with the appropriate treatment. The staff is not quite sure how the duck ended up with the leg laceration but concluded that the mixture of the laceration and migration stress caused its inability to fly.
There has been only 4 ruddy duck patients in von Arx Wildlife Hospital history. We admitted one in 2004, 2009, 2023 and now this one in 2025. The ruddy duck was recently released back to the wild.
Spring migration begins in February and this ruddy duck was brought in February 18. The duck was headed north to North Dakota and South Dakota to start breeding. Fortunately, this duck was ready to be released just in time to make it to breeding season. If the duck was unable to be released, we would have had to hold until fall migration. Breeding time starts April to May so we used eBird to see where there have been sightings of ruddy ducks. Luckily for us, a group was sighted in St. Pete, FL so we drove the duck to St. Pete and released him where there were others.
Short-tailed Hawk
This Short-tailed hawk was brought to our wildlife hospital after being hit by a car. The hawk is doing well in our wildlife hospital and we hope to release it back to the wild soon.
Short-tailed hawks in Florida have a unique migration. While most of the Florida population remains in the state year-round, these hawks from Central Florida migrate south to the Everglades and Florida Keys for the winter. Pairs nesting in Southern Florida may be permanent residents. This migration is typically late fall and early spring. Therefore, this short-tailed hawk most likely was migrating from south Florida back to central Florida when the accident happened.
Just like the ruddy duck, we have only admitted 4 short-tailed hawks in our history. One in 1991, 2021, 2022 and now this one in 2025.
I Found an Injured Bird, Now What?
If you find a bird that has struck a window, place it in a ventilated box immediately. A stunned bird is an easy target for roaming cats or other predators. It is common for a stunned and disoriented bird to further injure itself by stumbling or fluttering into a road or body.
Once the bird is contained, transport it to the hospital for professional medical attention. Do not offer food and water. As always, if you have questions, call our von Arx Wildlife Hospital at 239-262-2273 and our staff will help guide you through any rescue situation.