Every year many birds are killed or injured from flying into windows. It can be distressing to see a bird hurt itself in this way but there are a number of steps you can take to prevent these collisions.
Although birds have very good sight they don’t see glass very well. Instead they see the reflection in the glass such as the sky and plants and think that they can fly into it particularly if they feel threatened.
A window collision may kill a bird on impact or they may be stunned and appear to recover and fly off unharmed. Unfortunately these injured birds may have suffered internal injuries that can lead to haemorrhaging or brain swelling and death. Stunned birds may also be less agile and become disorientated making them more vulnerable to predators.
Interior blinds or shutters that are kept partially closed will help minimise reflections – when angled correctly they will still provide plenty of light. Frosted or etched windows will also have less reflective area. At night keep curtains closed and turn out lights when they are not in use.
Don’t place houseplants or flowers near windows where birds can see them and at night time don’t place candles or other decorative lights in windows.
Outside break up a window’s reflection by adding sun catchers, wind chimes, decals, crystals or specially designed bird alert window stickers. Make sure you use enough decals to break up the window and they are spaced closer than 3-4 inches together otherwise birds will attempt to between them at the window reflection. The movement of these will also deter birds from flying near windows. Choose windows with lattices or patterns in the frames or glass; French doors can have removable lattices fitted.
Awnings over large windows and patio doors will prevent sunlight reflections as well as helping cool the window and increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
Place planted boxes filled with flowers or shrubbery at the base of dangerous windows. The birds will seek shelter in the plants rather than trying to escape through the window.
Bird baths and bird feeders should be positioned more than 15 feet away from the window so if they are startled they will not fly towards it but instead take shelter in a nearby shrub or tree.
It may be tempting to place plastic or wooden owl figurines near the window and although this may be effective initially the implied threat will soon wear off as birds learn that the decoy does not move.
You may need to try a number of techniques to minimise the risk and test which ones work best for you. preventing these unnecessary injuries and fatalities altogether.
