How to Prevent Birds From Flying Into Windows

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It's estimated that more than 90 million birds are killed each year as a result of hitting windows. Stopping the collisions is a matter of changing the birds' perception of what they see in the window.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bird Silhouette Decals
Poultry Netting
Hanging Plants
Wind Chimes

Step1

Go outside and assess the "bird's-eye view" of windows. Look at anything that would give birds the impression that there is no barrier at the window glass.

Step2

Put inexpensive stick-on silhouettes of hawks, falcons or owls on outside of window.

Step3

Hang plants, streamers, wind chimes, or other objects outside the window.

Step4

Move feeders away from large picture windows.

Step5

Put a barrier of garden netting outside the window. This is most effective if firmly mounted about a foot away from the glass.

Tips & Warnings

Many birds that hit windows and appear to be dead are merely stunned. Leave birds on ground covered with a kitchen colander or box with air holes, until they recover. This will protect them from predators.
An awning may be effective in changing the reflection in the window.

Who Can Help:

Comments

amosvh said

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on 5/16/2008 I'd like to invite everyone in this forum to come join BirdSpace, a social community for wild birds, birding and bird photography. Bird watching forums, blogs, chat, photos and more. Create your own profile page and add your information.

http://birdspace.ning.com/

on 4/30/2008 Good article!

Kable said

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on 4/21/2008 This is territorial behavior seen in some individual birds in the springtime. Occasionally, a male bird will see his own reflection and attack it, thinking that it is another male encroaching on his territory. Once the bird has this in his head, he can't seem to shake it and keeps attacking. Usually the behavior stops after several days, but sometimes it will go on longer. Since it is the reflection that triggers the behavior, it is sometimes seen at sideview mirrors or other reflective surfaces of vehicles. One way to discourage this behavior (and reduce window strikes by birds as well) is to break up the reflectiveness of the surface being attacked. Some people hang ribbons over their windows to accomplish this. A sideview mirror can be covered with a paper bag when the car is not in use (this technique was observed at a local post office parking lot).

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