Why Birds Collide With Windows
There are two main types of window collisions: daytime and nighttime. In daylight, birds crash into windows because they see reflections of vegetation or see through the glass to potted plants or vegetation on the other side. At night, nocturnal migrants (including most songbirds) crash because they fly into lighted windows.
For reasons not entirely understood, lights divert nocturnal migrants from their original path, especially in low-ceiling or foggy conditions. In the lighted area, they mill about, sometimes colliding with one another or the lighted structure. As a subsequent hazard, migrants drawn off course by urban lighting may roost safely nearby, only to become vulnerable to daytime reflections in windows the following day.
How To Safeguard Your Windows For Birds
Start by identifying dangerous windows, including large picture windows, paired windows at right angles to each other, or windows with feeders outside. Go outside and look at your windows from a bird’s point of view. If you see branches or sky reflected in or visible through the glass, that’s what the birds will see, too. Past recommendations about safe distances for feeders outside windows are no longer thought to be valid, Sheppard says. “If you’ve got windows near a bird feeder, you should make them bird friendly and don’t worry about how far away they are.”
How to Prevent Bird Collisions With Windows
Luckily, you have several options when it comes to preventing bird collisions with your windows.
Screens. Ordinary window screens can prevent birds from flying into windows because they reduce the reflectivity of the glass.
One-Way Transparent Film. Window film reduces the reflectivity of the glass. It also saves on your energy bills by reducing the amount of UV radiation that enters your home. One-way transparent film allows you to see out, but birds can’t see in.
Zen Curtains. Consider stringing narrow pieces of rope from one side of the window to the other to make it more visible to birds. Called zen curtains, these pieces of rope won’t cause a sticky residue on the glass.
Bird Tape. Bird tape is probably the cheapest method for preventing birds from hitting your windows. Our bird removal expert can show you how to install bird tape with the proper spacing on your windows so birds can see it.
How to Identify Potential Problem Windows
Our bird removal expert recommends taking a look at problem windows from the outside of your home. Walk around your building to identify potential trouble spots for birds. If you have bird feeders nearby, those could present problems if a bird sees its reflection in your window. Large picture windows that reflect a lot of vegetation are the biggest threat to birds flying by. Do you have one or two windows that birds hit in the past? Those are problems, too. Windows that are at right angles to each other present problems because the birds may fly into a corner.