A New Bird Conservation Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington DC Sara Hallager, Curator of Birds Pre-2005 History of glass strike interest at National Zoological Park (NZP)
• NZP located in Rock Creek • Many migratory and resident birds call this home • Glass strike survey Nov ‘05-Nov ‘06 • At time of survey, no glass treatment, or inadequate treatment • 115 bird strike victims found (likely more) during survey • Window treatment devised and installed and proven effective
Early glass treatments were effective and educational, but made it hard to see the animals Current glass treatments……….
1/8″ wide horizontal stripes spaced two inches apart A New Bird Conservation Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington DC Must have Bird Friendly Glass! • Designed for both wild birds and collection birds • SI/NZP requirement
LEED Gold Sustainable Sites pilot credit 55 (SSpc55) – Bird collision deterrent
On the Renovation Team • Architects knowledgeable about bird friendly design • Head of SI Migratory Bird Center • Staff familiar with success of previous glass strike study
Consulted with American Bird Conservancy early on
Bird friendly glass (or fritted ETFE) at all exterior surfaces Bird friendly glass at all interior surfaces Bird friendly glass at all interior doors and windows Bird friendly glass at all doors between exhibits A closer look at the bird friendly treatments…. Bird Friendly Treatments: glass with ceramic frit, ETFE or vinyl treatment
Overview of New Exhibits: Bird Friendly Glass
Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment ETFE ETFE Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment ETFE ETFE aviary roof and skylights with fritted pattern
ETFE skylights & entrance way. Dot matrix frit on ETFE pattern helps minimize heat coming into the building
Overview of New Exhibits ETFE at arrival area ETFE skylights at interior arrival area ETFE roof at central aviary (Shade Grown Coffee) ETFE Skylight in Prairie Pothole Aviary Glass with Frit……….
Airspace
#3 surface
Fritting on #1 surface #4 surface
#2 surface Fritted glass at exterior arrival area A A A A A A A A A A A B C C B A A A A A
1/8 inch frit lines with 2 inch equal distribution Different patterns (A, B, C) on the glass mimic a bird murmuration
A B C Fritted glass at all interior surfaces Fritted glass at all interior surfaces
12 foot high Viewing Glass Window into Bird Friendly Coffee Farm Type C on the bottom; Type D on top
• Thinking about how the space will be used • A more intense pattern allows for minimal distraction from external events • Window treatment is on the inside of the demo room, since that is where the birds will be Glass – vinyl frit: top
Glass – vinyl treatment: bottom
Field applied vinyl and frit to existing glass Educational Messaging in New Exhibit
• Awareness of the Issue • Home Treatment options
Striving for Bird Friendly Glass Throughout the Rock Creek Campus
Sloth Bear Lemur island Orang yard Bird Friendly Glass at NZP’s Front Royal Campus Bird Friendly Glass Smithsonian wide? Questions?