Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada is a registered Canadian charity widely recognized as the pre-eminent authority on the bird-building collision issue.

Each year in Canada, around 25 million migratory birds die as a direct result of collisions with buildings. We can only expect that number to grow unless we all work together to help mitigate local biodiversity loss through urban development that considers wildlife species.

For almost 30 years, FLAP Canada has engaged millions of people with dozens of campaigns and initiatives with one goal: keep birds safe from deadly collisions with buildings.

https://flap.org/about

Start today and protect birds in your locality by following advice in the above link.

All these dead birds, who met their deaths colliding with unsafe windows and buildings in Toronto, were placed together to form this image which shocks at first sight.

Bird Photographer of the Year

2024 Winners

With over 23,000 images entered into the competition this year, Bird Photographer of the Year is pleased to present our winners. Celebrating bird life from around the world, these images comprise some of the most incredible bird photos in the world taken by talented photographers, whilst also raising vital funds for our partner charity Birds on the Brink.

Taking the title of Bird Photographer of the Year, our Overall Winner is ‘When Worlds Collide’ by Patricia Homonylo. An impactful image showing over 4,000 birds that died colliding with windows in Toronto.

Homonylo wins the top prize of £3,500 and the prestigious title. Her image also won Gold Award in the Conservation (Single Image) category.

“Each year more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows,” says Homonylo. “I am a conservation photojournalist and have been working with the Fatal Light Awareness Program, where we save window-collision survivors in Toronto. Sadly, most of the birds we find are already dead. They are collected and at the end of the year we create this impactful display to honour the lives lost and increase public awareness.”

Reflected light poses a severe threat to birds. To a bird, a reflective surface like a window can appear to be a continuation of the landscape that is behind them. Consequently, birds may fly straight into windows at full speed. FLAP encourages people and businesses to use bird-safe films on windows, bird screens, or window grills. More information can be found on FLAP’s website.