Reflective Home Windows - Photo: Dee Renee Ericks

 

Stunned Orange-crowned Warbler
Photo: Dee Renee Ericks

 Bird Collisions with Glass

Solutions for Home

Rufous Hummingbird window strike fatality
Photo: Patty Boyden

 

People ‘see’ glass because we understand buildings. Birds need strong clues on or around glass to warn them that it’s there.

 

Short Term Measures to Prevent Window Collisions

Here are some easy, economical ways to help birds see your windows:

PATTERNS ON GLASS

Create patterns on exterior surface of reflective windows. Multiple markings 2” to 4” apart is optimal. A bar of soap, oil-based Sharpie drawings, and tempera paint are excellent markers on glass.

Photo by Dee Renee Ericks

INSTALL EXTERNAL SCREENS

Window screens greatly reduce reflections.

Photo courtesy Darrin Henein, Unsplash

CLOSE BLINDS

Blinds or curtains can help break up exterior reflections.

Photo: courtesy Unsplash

MOVE PLANTS AWAY FROM WINDOWS

Birds see house plants through the glass and try to fly to or through them.

Photo: Courtesy Nathan Fertig, Unsplash

The goal of these glass options is to create a visual cue to help birds detect and avoid glass.

The key to creating bird-friendly glass is to create a visible pattern that breaks up transparent or reflective areas of glass. Bird will perceive that they cannot fit through the transparent or reflective areas and avoid it.

 

Long Term Options for Preventing Window Strikes

  • Apply patterns or decals to the outside of windows close together (2”-4” apart),  such as: 

Feather Friendly® dot pattern tape,

FEATHER FRIENDLY® dot pattern bird tape
Photo: Dee Renee Ericks

WindowAlert® ultraviolet decals spaced 2 to 4” apart

  • Create stripes on outside of a window, at least 1/4 “ wide vertical white tape, 4” apart; CollideEscape™ bird tape and ABC Bird Tape are options.

  • OPTIMAL SPACING:

    Vertical Stripes should be ¼ inch wide with a maximum spacing of 4 inches.

    Horizontal Stripes at least ¼ inch wide, maximum spacing of 2 inches.

    Tests have shown these dimensions to be the most effective at preventing bird strikes .

 

DANGLING CORDS

Hanging cords, strings or ribbons in front of your windows can be effective and unobtrusive. Make them yourself, or order a product like Acopian BirdSavers™ which are custom-made based on the size of your window(s).

Photo: Dee Renee Ericks

 

A local source for some of the products mentioned above is Wild Birds Unlimited® located in Gardiner, Washington. They currently carry the UV paint pens called WindowAlert® UV Liquid, WindowAlert® ultraviolet decals, and Feather Friendly® tape. Contact them at (360) 797-7100 to check for availability.

(Note: No window product can guarantee elimination of window collisions. Results will vary depending on local bird populations, landscape conditions, product used, and building design. We are providing these product suggestions as a convenience, and there are many more that may work in a similar way to suit your needs.)