Migrating birds frequently are injured or stunned colliding with buildings in Chicago. (Courtesy of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors)

With spring migration underway, the organization Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) is recruiting volunteers to help rescue birds injured or stunned while navigating their way through the city’s downtown maze of confusing lights and glass buildings.

Here’s the job description: Teams of monitors are assigned routes to patrol downtown, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., during spring and fall migration seasons, typically March through early June and late August to mid-November. Volunteers recover the injured birds, which are taken to wildlife rehabilitation centers for treatment if needed, and also document any fatalities. During orientation, volunteers will learn proper bird capture, containment and transport techniques. 

CBCM has scheduled training sessions for monitors during upcoming weekends in March and April.

People who live or work downtown can also sign up to become building monitors. Additionally, volunteers are needed to respond to hotline calls regarding injured birds.

According to CBCM, its volunteers annually rescue thousands of birds, the majority of which will survive their collision provided they’re retrieved from the sidewalk or street before being stepped on, run over or attacked by predators. Sightings of dead or injured birds can be reported to CBCM by calling 773-988-1867.

More information about the training sessions is available online.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]