Birds migrating south face unexpected threat

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Every year, billions of birds migrate through the U.S. They mostly move at night, when they face an unexpected threat: light pollution.

Lights from our homes can confuse and disorient birds that are not familiar with the area. A study published in the Smithsonian Libraries finds hundreds of millions of birds die in collisions with buildings each year.

Experts say the best thing you can do is shut off the lights you do not need between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. You can also consider leaving out some food to give them energy for their journey.

“You can leave some food out in your bird feeders or your bird bath,” said Dr. Stephanie Carle, the head veterinarian at the Dickerson Park Zoo. “Keep that filled with water for them. You want to keep them clean, to try to prevent