In 2019, scientists documented North America’s staggering loss of nearly 3 billion breeding birds since 1970. Helping birds can be as simple as making changes to everyday habits. Here’s an easy action from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that you can take to help birds.

The challenge: Up to 1 billion birds are estimated to die each year after hitting windows in the United States and Canada.

The cause: By day, birds perceive reflections in glass as habitat they can fly into. By night, migratory birds drawn in by city lights are at high risk of colliding with buildings.

These simple steps save birds: On the outside of the window, install screens or break up reflections—using film, paint, or Acopian BirdSavers or other string spaced no more than two inches high or four inches wide.

Support legislation for bird-friendly building designs and start a lights-out campaign in your city.

Get started with more ways to help birds: