About FLAP Canada
25 million migratory birds die each year in Canada from collisions with buildings.
Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada is a registered Canadian charity widely recognized as the pre-eminent authority on the bird-building collision issue. For over 30 years, FLAP Canada has engaged millions of people with dozens of campaigns and initiatives with one goal: keep birds safe from deadly collisions with buildings.
How FLAP Canada Started
In 1993, FLAP Canada Executive Director Michael Mesure rescued a common yellowthroat from a building collision.
While en route to rehab, the bird escaped from the paper bag in his car. It perched on his rearview mirror and began to sing. Michael continued driving, enchanted by its glorious song. Suddenly, the bird stopped singing and collapsed into his lap, dead.
Not a day goes by when Michael doesn’t reflect on this profound experience—he still fights back tears when recounting it. It was in this moment that the bird-building collision movement began. Soon after, Michael and a team of like-minded people founded FLAP Canada.
Since then, FLAP Canada team members and volunteers have poured their efforts into protecting birds from the life-threatening built environment. We could not bring this issue to light (and lights out) across Canada without our partners, volunteers, and donors.
Together, we are working to ensure all birds can continue to sing.
FLAP Canada’s Mission and Vision
Our Mission
FLAP Canada is dedicated to safeguarding wild birds from collisions in the built environment through advocacy, education, policy development, research, rescue and facilitating rehabilitation.
Our Vision
We envision a 24-hour collision-free built environment for wild birds
FLAP Canada’s Bird Conservation Efforts
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![FLAP Canada Executive Director Michael Mensur speaking at a podium at Queen's Park, advocating for bird-safe building standards in Ontario]()
Advocating for Bird-Safe Buildings
Discover FLAP Canada’s work on bird-safe building guidelines, standards, and policy.
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![FLAP Canada volunteers lay out birds dead from building-collisions for annual photograph to raise awareness]()
Raising Awareness, Driving Change
Explore FLAP Canada’s bird conservation education and outreach programs.
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![Close up shot of FLAP Canada volunteer holding up a dead cooper's hawk, victim of bird-building collision]()
Tracking Collisions Across Canada
Dive into FLAP Canada’s data collection and bird conservation research.
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![FLAP Canada volunteer patrolling city streets before dawn, bending down to photograph a bird building collision victim]()
Rescuing Birds, One Life at a Time
Join the volunteers taking to the streets to search for and rescue birds.
How FLAP Canada’s Work Keeps Birds Safe
Since 1993, FLAP Canada has been using on-the-ground conservation, advocacy, policy development, research, awareness, education and outreach to reach millions of people. We are committed to:
Educating our communities through awareness and citizen science
Advocating volunteerism for bird recovery and rescue efforts
Showcasing bird-deterrent solutions for new and existing buildings
Enabling bird-safe conditions through BirdSafe® standards and building risk assessments.
Collecting vital data and advocating for enforcement of regulatory compliance.
Countless migrating birds never make it to their destination because of fatal window collisions. You can help.
Support FLAP Canada’s bird rescue, collision prevention, and advocacy work across Canada.
Since 1993, FLAP Canada has been a tireless voice for birds, driving change through our education, policy development, research, and bird rescue work. Every donation helps fuel our fight to create a bird-safe built environment and protect birds from fatal collisions.
Information about our finances and activities are posted in the “Charities” section of the Canada Revenue Agency website
FLAP Canada’s Charity Number is: 14074 6736 RR0001
If you need more information or have any questions, please contact us.