The JP Morgan Chase building in New York City has agreed to turn out lights for 'Lights out New York' ( Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

NEW YORK—Thousands of migrating birds are killed every fall in New York City. To combat this, the New York office of the National Audubon Society is calling on New Yorkers to turn their lights out at night in the coming months.

The initiative, known as “Lights Out New York,” aims to get all New Yorkers and especially skyscraper owners to turn their lights out between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, from midnight until dawn.

An estimated 90,000 birds are killed each year in New York City because they fly into glass of the buildings while attempting to migrate to and from breeding grounds.

Bright light in buildings at night can be disorienting for the birds, as it “overrides their navigational cues,” said the Audubon Society, which started the initiative five years ago to protect the migrating animals.

Protecting birds is not the only boon for building owners when they turn their lights out, the organization said, as following the initiative will also save people money by reducing their electricity costs.

For example, a building with 2.5 million square feet of floor space can save more than $120,000 this fall if the owners turn the lights off at night.

Notable skyscrapers with lights being shut off at night include the Time Warner Center, Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, Con Edison Clock Tower, the New York Times Building, and 601 Lexington Avenue.

Forest City Ratner Companies, Durst Properties, Silverstein Properties, and JP Morgan Chase Properties have also promised to turn their buildings’ lights out.

According to the Audubon Society, just about anyone can participate in the initiative, and it does not matter how big or small their residence or business may be. The organization says to turn off all lights on unoccupied floors and unused space, close blinds if possible and turn off ceiling lights between midnight and dawn.

Other major North American cities have also initiated similar “Lights Out” programs. Chicago was the first city to initiate the program, and field researchers told the Audubon Society that more than 10,000 birds have been saved as a result.

The initiative is sponsored by the Audubon Society, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York, and the Real Estate Board of New York.

Any bird collisions can be reported to the New York City Audubon Society at 212-691-7483.