Abstract
Bird strikes on windows were surveyed in Amami Oshima Island. A total 63 bird strikes by 11 species were reported between April 2006 and March 2012. Bird strikes occurred throughout the year, without seasonal limitations, and the most frequent species to strike windows were Ruddy Kingfishers Halcyon coromanda (summer visitor), Whistling Green Pigeons Sphenurus formosae (resident) and Pale Thrushes Turdus pallidus (winter visitor). Threatened species such as Owston's White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos owstoni and Japanese Wood Pigeons Columba janthina were also killed in collisions with windows. For many casualties, the pectoral girdle (wishbone and coracoid) and the thoracic cage (vertebrae thoracicae, rib and sternum) were broken, and bleeding from lung, heart and liver was observed in most cases. Bird strikes occurred at large buildings such as tourist facilities, public facilities and schools. To reduce bird strike casualties at these facilities, it is important to disseminate information and raise awareness about measures that reduce bird strikes. Window and building designs that reduce bird strikes on windows should be required when constructing large buildings.
