1 billion birds die annually in the US from colliding with buildings, study says

(CNN) – A new study estimates over one billion birds die from building collisions in the United States each year.

The research was published this past week in the journal PLOS ONE.

The study looked at injured birds taken to wildlife rehabilitation centers to assess their survival rates.

It found the majority of birds that are injured from hitting buildings don’t recover.

Researchers said the death toll is probably much higher amongst birds in the wild.

A number of U.S. cities and states have passed regulations requiring new buildings to be more “bird-friendly.”

Building experts suggest making windows safer by adding designs or decals.

Colored, frosted or stained-glass windows are also more noticeable to birds.