How can we save certain bird species? By changing our behavior.
Shelby Carlson, research associate at Cornell University, looks into this.
Shelby Carlson is a research associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. As a conservation social scientist, Dr. Carlson applies theories and methods from the fields of sociology and psychology to understand human-wildlife interactions. Her research predominately focuses on the way individual values, social norms, and structural inequities influence (in)tolerance for wildlife. Dr. Carlson holds a PhD in environment and natural resources, with a specialization in environmental social sciences, from Ohio State University. She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology from Ohio University.
Saving Birds Through Human Behavior Change
Have you ever heard the thud of a bird crashing into your window? Have you seen an imprint of feathers smudged against the glass? Or found a lifeless bird lying below the window sill?
Collisions with windows are a leading source of bird mortality. In the United States, more than a billion birds are estimated to die from window collisions each year. And nearly half of these fatal collisions occur at residential buildings. Fortunately, a range of solutions are available for residents, like you and me. From do-it-yourself options to commercially available products, collision prevention can be simple, effective, and inexpensive.
But how can we encourage more residents to make the windows at their home safer for birds? Our team of social scientists, trained in the systematic study of human thought and behavior, surveyed nearly 5,000 residents to understand how framing the issue of bird-window collisions affects intentions for bird-safe windows. We found that messages that emphasized the effectiveness or efficacy of collision deterrents resonated best with bird enthusiasts, while members of the general public were most receptive to messages that appealed to their emotions, like sadness or guilt. Other commonly used message frames, particularly those related to social norms or obligations of morality, had negative or negligible effects.
These findings help us develop and disseminate evidence-based communications for critical conservation action. After all, if we want to protect birds from window collisions, we ultimately have to change human behavior. The first step to changing human behavior is to know your audience. The next step? Tailoring your messaging to meet people where they are.
Read More:
https://www.stopbirdcollisions.org/
[ScienceDirect] – Mitigating collision-caused bird mortality through message framing: Insights from residents’ intentions for bird-safe windows
