Karolina Skorb, head of the Upper Silesian Ornithological Association, told Polish Press Agency (PAP) that fireworks expose birds to three types of pollution — noise, light, and air — with noise causing the most intense reactions.
“In nature, there are no sudden, extremely loud sounds, so birds are not evolutionarily adapted to them,” Skorb said.
Studies show that during New Year’s Eve, up to a thousand times more birds take flight than on typical nights. Panic-driven takeoffs, especially among birds roosting in large flocks, often lead to collisions — either with each other or with urban infrastructure, especially glass surfaces illuminated by city lights.
Larger birds such as geese and cranes, and urban corvids roosting in trees, are most vulnerable due to shorter escape distances and more violent reactions, she noted. While smaller birds also respond, their reactions are less visible, often cushioned by vegetation.
Skorb said stressed birds may remain airborne for up to an hour, disperse over long distances, and take days to return to regular routines. For species like geese, studies indicate it can take up to 11 days to recover normal feeding and roosting behavior. In winter, when food is scarce, the extra energy expenditure can be life-threatening.
She also noted that birds in rural or wetland areas, unaccustomed to human activity, may react more strongly than their urban counterparts. The disruptive effects of fireworks can extend up to 10 kilometers from their launch site.
Although cases of mass bird deaths are not extensively documented, Skorb cited notable examples — hundreds of starlings dying in Rome and thousands of red-winged blackbirds perishing in the U.S. following fireworks-induced panics.
Some countries have implemented restrictions, such as bans in parts of Germany and the Galápagos Islands. In Poland, fireworks are banned in national parks, though such areas remain limited.
Skorb said centralized, short-duration fireworks displays in urban centers are preferable if bans are not feasible. She encouraged alternative celebrations like drone or light shows, which have a significantly lower environmental impact.
“An ideal solution would be to abandon fireworks entirely,” she said. “But every step toward restrictions and safer alternatives is a real benefit — not just for birds, but for entire ecosystems.”
(jh)
Source: PAP