{"aiVersion":"1","content":{"id":"cmtz418a20004za2q34sp14ma","slug":"dark-nights-safe-flights-how-turning-off-lights-he-20260913","title":"Dark Nights, Safe Flights: How Turning Off Lights Helps Migrating Birds","level":"MEDIUM","publishedAt":"2026-09-13T01:03:09.675Z"},"topic":{"slug":"dark-nights-safe-flights-how-turning-off-lights-he-20260913","category":"science"},"article":{"paragraphs":["Many songbirds migrate at night and are drawn to artificial light. Scientists have estimated between 365 million and 988 million birds die each year in collisions with buildings in the United States, and conservation groups often use a rounded figure of about a billion when describing the global scale. Bright lights can trap and disorient birds while they fly, and younger birds may be especially vulnerable. Forecasting tools like BirdCast have been developed to predict heavy migration nights, and these forecasts have been used to schedule Lights Out actions.","Cities such as Chicago, Toronto and New York have implemented Lights Out programs; building exteriors and interior non-essential lighting are dimmed or turned off on high-risk nights. Turning lights off from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been recommended in many campaigns, and simple measures such as closing curtains, shielding outdoor lights, or using motion sensors are often promoted. While architects are adopting bird-friendly glass and designs, individuals can still help by reducing light at night and reporting collisions to monitoring projects. Therefore, local groups and city officials publish migration forecasts and ask residents to follow simple steps on predicted nights."],"wordCount":190,"readTime":2},"vocabulary":[{"word":"migrate","example":"Many warblers migrate at night.","phonetic":"/maɪˈɡreɪt/","definition":"to move regularly from one place to another, often by season"},{"word":"disorient","example":"Bright beams can disorient migrating birds.","phonetic":"/dɪsˈɔːr.i.ənt/","definition":"to make someone lose their sense of direction or position"},{"word":"forecast","example":"BirdCast issues a forecast for migration nights.","phonetic":"/ˈfɔːr.kæst/","definition":"a prediction about future events, such as weather or migration intensity"},{"word":"collision","example":"Window collisions cause many bird deaths.","phonetic":"/kəˈlɪʒən/","definition":"an event in which two objects crash into each other"}],"quiz":[{"answer":"BirdCast","question":"What tool is mentioned that predicts heavy migration nights?"},{"answer":"from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.","question":"What time range has been recommended for turning lights off?"},{"answer":"Chicago","question":"Name one city mentioned that has implemented Lights Out programs."}],"discussion":[{"question":"Do you check weather or migration forecasts when planning outdoor activities? Why or why not?"},{"question":"Have you ever closed curtains or dimmed lights at night to reduce glare? What happened?"},{"question":"What do you think about using motion sensors or timers to cut lighting at night?"},{"question":"Would you join a neighborhood effort to reduce light on certain nights? Why or why not?"}]}