Biology student supports bird conservation at GovState
Preventing bird-window crashes one decal at a time
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Photo credit: Rachael Muenchow
A lifelong love for birds led Biology student Rachael Muenchow to take a class on the study of birds at Governors State University (GovState), which moved her to further explore the topic in her undergraduate research course.
From sparrows to cardinals and geese, GovState's campus is home to a variety of birds who enjoy the trees and open land. Still, the birds seem drawn to the University's many windows.
Because the birds can't tell the reflective glass apart from the natural environment, they fly into them, often breaking bones or dying of fatal wounds.
Broken-hearted, Rachael was inspired to pursue a research project that would work towards preventing bird collisions on campus and support conservation efforts.
To do this, Rachael applied vinyl decals (pictured left) on the exterior facing windows by the Hall of Governors, Center for Performing Arts, and the F-Building entrance.
Rachael is working with Dr. John Yunger, a professor in GovState's College of Arts and Sciences, on the summer study to determine whether the decals that are sparrowhawk shaped, which look like birds, or the ones that are circular have more or less efficiency at preventing bird collisions.
Rachael, who grew up watching birds in the backyard of her Frankfort home, wants to see these feathered animals thrive.
“Birds have so much to deal with as it is, like habitat loss and cats and climate change, so putting decals on windows is a way to recognize that we see the birds and we want to help them.”
She's also hoping her study will continue beyond her graduation in 2026 to help all birds, from beautiful hummingbirds to common sparrows, on campus and beyond.
“The more we build in places, the more likely it is that birds could die from hitting the windows of buildings,” said Rachael. “This project is a way to help the bird population in general because billions of birds die annually from window collisions.”