Dozens of birds dead after flying into City Hall

It's feared dozens of migratory Bohemian Waxwings have died this week after flying into the elevated glass walkway at City Hall, and at least one survivor is recovering at Ottawa's Wild Bird Care Centre.

On Thursday, City Hall staff plastered the walkway with black hawk decals in an attempt to scare off the Bohemian Waxwingsthat are feasting on fermented berries hanging from nearbycrab apple trees.

City councillor and bird enthusiast Diane Holmes said it's the second time in a decade the walkway has proven hazardous to avian health, noting that feeding on fermented fruit isn't helpful.

"So basically we have drunk birds flying into the windows," said Holmes. "So we have staff out buying black decals of hawks, which they're going to put up this afternoon."

The carnage was too much for passerby Leila Nasser, who said she saw as many as 20 of the distinctive birds slam into the glass walkway, stunning a few but proving fatal for most.

"Oh my god I almost cried. They broke my heart," Nasser said. "Because I love animals a lot. I can't see any bird like that."