A New Bird Conservation

Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s

National Zoo, Washington DC

Sara Hallager, Curator of Birds

• 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

History of glass strike interest at National Zoological Park (NZP)

Pre-2005

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….

Overview of New

Exhibits: Bird Friendly

Glass

Bird Friendly Treatments: glass with ceramic frit, ETFE or vinyl treatment

Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment ETFE

Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment ETFE

Glass – ceramic frit Glass – vinyl treatment ETFE

ETFE aviary roof and skylights with fritted pattern

Overview of New Exhibits

ETFE skylights & entrance way. Dot matrix frit on ETFE pattern helps minimize heat coming into the building

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

#4 surface

#3 surface

#2 surface

Fritting on #1 surface

Fritted glass at exterior arrival area

1/8 inch frit lines with 2 inch equal distribution

Different patterns (A, B, C) on the glass mimic a bird murmuration

A A A A A A A A A A A B C C B A A A A A

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 treatment: bottom

Field applied vinyl and frit to existing glass

Glass – vinyl frit: top

Educational Messaging in New Exhibit

• Awareness of the Issue

• Home Treatment options

Striving for Bird Friendly Glass Throughout the Rock Creek Campus

Lemur island Orang yard Sloth Bear

Bird Friendly Glass at NZP’s Front Royal Campus

Bird Friendly Glass Smithsonian wide?

Questions?