300+ birds strike NASCAR Hall of Fame building in Charlotte (Video)

Hundreds of birds fell to the street level after impacting the NASCAR Hall of Fame building in Charlotte, North Carolina

Around a hundred birds were killed on Tuesday night as they stuck the NASCAR Hall of Fame building in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue was called to the scene. They are, “federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators who provide sanctuary, rescue, and rehabilitation for wildlife, farmed, and exotic animals.”

The birds struck the building then fell to street level. In total, 310 birds were collected Tuesday night after impact with the building.

97 of the birds died with the impact of the building. 9 had to be euthanized.

103 more were critically injured with broken wings, legs or other fractures. The rest were stunned and the organization has planned for their release.

“We desperately need help feeding them and will be posting for volunteers tomorrow. They all have to be hand fed. I’m not sure how we will manage but where there is a will there is a way. Tonight we just need some sleep,” the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue stated via their facebook page.

City lights are believed to have attracted the migration of birds. In many big cities, bird casualties are frequent against the glass high rises. It’s just not often that you see an entire migration hit a building all at once.

Chimney Swifts

The species of birds are called Chimney Swift. They were in the process of migration.

About Chimney Swifts (from Wildlife center of Virginia):

“Chimney Swifts are not your ordinary bird! These insectivores live most of their lives “on the wing”, covering up to 500 miles a day.”

“They even eat and drink while in flight. Chimney Swifts eat up to 12,000 mosquitoes, termites, flies, and other insects each day; as they skim over ponds and creeks, they scoop up water in their mouths.”

“Due to their foot structure, Chimney Swifts are incapable of perching, even on tree limbs. Specialized toes, tail feathers, and long sharp nails allow them to cling to vertical surfaces.”

“Unfortunately, these birds’ numbers are declining significantly due to loss of nesting sites.”

They are a a species with a medium sized body, long thin wings and short legs. The birds cannot land. They can only cling vertically to surfaces, like bats.

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue further explained the importance of saving the birds.

“Losing one swift is a tragedy, losing hundreds is horrible. Our aerial insectivores populations are declining. A bird that eats 12,000 mosquitos a day? That’s reason enough for me.”

Bird hit NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte
Video

https://www.facebook.com/fox46charlotte/videos/2231924950264088/UzpfSTEzMDQ5MTU5MDA2MjoxMDE2MjI0MzcxMTc3NTA2Mw/
Links

NASCAR | Carolina Waterfowl Rescue | NASCAR Hall of Fame

Categories

Tags