To many a Newarker, a walk past the glass facades of University Heights or downtown is just a commute. But for Lilith Janevska, a Biology and Math student at NJIT, those windows represent the front lines of a quiet “mass extinction of avian species.”
In a recent conversation with The Newark Times, Janevska revealed a staggering reality: bird strikes are the second leading cause of avian death in the U.S., trailing only domestic cats. “In the U.S. alone, a billion birds die each year from smashing into windows,” Janevska explains.
The Problem with Traditional Surveys
For fifty years, the standard method for studying bird collisions was simple: counting carcasses. However, this method is fundamentally flawed. Urban maintenance crews often sweep sidewalks early in the morning, and many birds leave no physical evidence behind.
Janevska estimates that traditional surveys may only capture one-fifth of actual strikes. To solve this, she is working within the NJIT Urban Ecology Lab to develop the Automated Collision Detector (ACD).
How the Automated Collision Detector Works
The ACD is an inexpensive, open-source device that “slaps” onto a window. Using a high-sensitivity accelerometer, the device detects the specific vibrations of an avian impact.
• Real-Time Data: Researchers receive wireless alerts the moment a strike occurs.
• Hotspot Precision: It identifies exactly which glass panels are the most dangerous, allowing property managers to apply deterrents only where needed.
• Version 2.0: Janevska is currently building 100 new units equipped with cameras to identify bird species in real-time.
Newark as a “Citizen Science” Hub
Janevska envisions Newark as the blueprint for a global citizen-science initiative. She hopes to see a future where Newark residents and businesses host these sensors, similar to how hobbyists use home weather stations. By integrating this tech with city government connections, Newark could lead the nation in urban wildlife preservation.
How to Help: Spring Migration 2026
As the spring migration begins in early March, the NJIT research team needs “boots on the ground” to verify their digital findings.
• The Task: Walk a standardized route around NJIT campus buildings to identify and record evidence of bird strikes.
• Time Commitment: Just 30 to 60 minutes per session.
• The Impact: Your findings help Lilith’s team calibrate their digital sensors and determine which Newark windows need immediate life-saving mitigation.
• Get Involved: To sign up or learn more, email the team directly at bird-strike-group@njit.edu.
