Birds collisions gracefully soaring through the sky are a welcome sight. But when these feathered friends accidentally collide with windows, the result can be devastating for both birds and people. By implementing strategies to make windows more visible to birds, you can help prevent costly injuries, fatalities and damage – while protecting wildlife.
Why Birds Crash into Windows
Birds fail to detect windows using their vision due to a few reasons:
- Reflections: Birds see reflections of trees, branches and the sky in glass, not realizing a solid surface lies beyond.
- UV patterns: Birds can see ultraviolet light that windows absorb, essentially camouflaging glass against their vision.
- Pattern interruptions: Solid panes of glass lack visual patterns birds recognize as physical barriers.
- Habitat similarities: When landscaping around windows mimics birds’ natural habitat, they attempt to fly through the glass.
The Results of Window Strikes
Collisions can cause:
- Injuries and fatalities: Approximately 365 to 988 million birds die annually from window strikes in the U.S. alone.
- Repeated collisions: Disoriented birds may crash into windows multiple times attempting to escape.
- Messy cleanups: Impact injuries often leave behind . . . messy evidence of collisions on windows and surrounding areas.
- Costly damage: Bird strikes sometimes crack windows or rupture screens, requiring replacement or repairs.
Prevention Strategies that Work
A variety of solutions can help birds detect windows and avoid collisions:
- Window coverings: Close blinds, shades or curtains to cover glass during migratory seasons and dawn/dusk.
- Window decals: Applying patterns of dots, stripes or grids makes glass more visible to birds and reduces reflections.
- Netting: Stretching netting tautly across a few inches from the window breaks up the glass’s solid surface for birds.
- Screens: Installing exterior screens 1 to 4 inches away from windows provides a visual cue to birds while still allowing light in.
- Silhouettes: Placing cutouts of hawks or owls on windows can keep some birds from approaching.
- Landscaping: Using native plants while pruning bushes upwards from windows eliminates habitat similarities.
Evaluate Your Windows
Assess which strategies make sense for your situation by:
- Identifying high-risk windows: Those fully made of glass, facing landscape features or situated on lower floors.
- Considering visibility: Transparent coverings like nets and decals are best if visible windows are important aesthetically.
- Accounting for need: Strategies that block less light work best for rooms requiring lots of natural illumination.
- Weighing maintenance: Low-maintenance solutions like permanent decals may work best if remodeling is unrealistic.
By implementing even a few of these relatively simple bird strike prevention tactics, you can spare birds unnecessary suffering, protect wildlife and keep windows free of damage – all while maintaining your home’s light and views.