LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Every year, about 1 billion birds die from light pollution, according to the National Audubon Society.

As peak migration is happening, the Louisville Audubon Society is asking people to turn their lights off as part of a new initiative, “Lights Out Louisville."

Migratory birds travel at night, but the Louisville Audubon Society said bright lights can disorient them.

“They're not generally used to seeing these bright lights, and they're usually guided by the stars," said Brandon McQueen, president of the Louisville Audubon Society. "When you see these lights, they think it's just another maybe star or another light source."

Artificial light can cause the birds to take a detour, drain their energy and cause accidents.

“They can have collisions with windows, but also it can ground them, which means they're also susceptible to cars, cats,” he said.

The Louisville Audubon Society is asking Louisville to go lights out, meaning shutting off lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for homeowners and business owners.

“We ask residents (if) they can turn off their porch light, any additional lights, floodlights in their garage, putting on timers," McQueen said. "If you have windows, like bay windows in front of your house, you want to put blinds up or turn the lights off."

April and May are peak months for migration. Hundreds of species will travel thousands of miles around the world.

“The reason to do 'Lights Out' is (to) really protect the birds," McQueen said. "People ask what can they do to help, the environment, nature. Turning out your lights at night around your house helps those birds coming from mainly South America, flying over the ocean, dark areas to fly a little bit easier through the city."

The Louisville Audubon Society said nearly 4 million birds flew over Jefferson County the night after the Kentucky Derby. 

"Lights Out" is a national effort. The society said nearby cities like Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Nashville are already participating.