How can we REALLY prevent birds from flying into our windows?

Why do birds collide with windows, and how can we help? We explore the science behind bird collisions and dispel some common myths about how to prevent them, shining a spotlight on exciting projects across the world that are making a real difference. And you can join in!

This article is part of our Spring Alive programme to inspire and educate children across Africa and Eurasia about the wonders of nature and bird migration. The 2019 Spring Alive season was made possible with the support of Heidelberg Cement.

Nothing is more heart-breaking than hearing that familiar dull thud, and running to find a dusty, bird-shaped imprint on your window. Sometimes, the bird is only stunned, and will live to fly another day. But sometimes, it will not. You may only have encountered this once or twice in your life, but with billions of windows across the world, it all adds up. If you’ve ever seen a dead bird lying on the ground near a bus shelter, tall skyscraper or just a house with windows, this may well have been the reason.

Why do birds fly into windows?

You may wonder how it’s possible that birds cannot see windows, when to us it is obvious there is something in the way. It’s not because they have bad eyesight – quite the opposite. Birds’ eyes are on the sides of their heads, giving them extremely wide-angle vision – sometimes a completely 360 ° view, which is extremely useful in spotting approaching predators, rivals or potential mates. However, this means that a comparatively small area of their vision is covered by both eyes, making it hard to focus on the scene directly in front of them.

Because of this, they may see the view on the opposite side of the window and think they can fly right through. Or, they may see nearby trees reflected in the glass, and mistake it for a completely new area to explore. Another issue is that until relatively recently, birds never needed to be able to see glass. They evolved for millennia in a world without glass, and it’s only in the past few centuries, with the growth of human technology and the expansion of towns and cities, that it has become a problem.

Another, less well-known issue, is unnatural light. This is especially hazardous for birds that migrate at night, and use the light from the moon and stars to help them navigate. These birds may become disorientated by artificial light and lose their way, or fly towards it and collide with the glass. This effect is even worse in poor weather such as fog, when visibility is low.

Studies have shown that migratory bird species are more likely to strike glass than resident ones, even when they are not migrating. This may be because resident birds can learn the location of glass structures and avoid them, whereas to migratory birds, the landscape is less familiar.

What are the most dangerous structures?

The first one is pretty obvious – any buildings with large panes of flat, uninterrupted glass. These act just like a mirror. But another hazard consists of corners where both sides are made of glass, such as balconies or the edges of buildings. To a bird, it looks like they can fly straight through. Bus shelters present a similar problem, and skyscrapers are a particular hazard because their height obstructs the flight paths of many birds. But in general, anything with transparent glass could pose a hazard to birds — including windows on your house.

What can I do to prevent bird collisions?

Fortunately, preventing bird collisions is very simple. All you need to do is put stickers or transfers (“decals”) on the glass to show birds that there is something in the way. These stickers can come in many shapes, styles, colours or sizes, and you can even make your own – just get creative! But as you do, here are some common myths that you should avoid…

Common myths to avoid

Black stickers are the most visible: This is incorrect. Windows often look dark from the outside, so black silhouettes do not create enough contrast. In fact, imprints of bird collisions have often been found right beside black stickers. Instead, go wild with colour – especially red and orange shades, which have been proven to be more effective than blue and green.

The outline of a bird of prey will scare off smaller birds: It sounds like a good idea, but sadly, this is a myth. There has been no evidence that birds are scared away by stickers shaped like birds of prey.

One sticker per window is enough: Not true. Birds are accustomed to flying through very small spaces, such as gaps between branches, so they may still attempt to fly into a window with one sticker. Instead, we recommend that stickers are placed 10 – 15 centimetres apart. Use the “palm area rule”: if the gap is bigger than the palm of an adult’s hand, a bird may still attempt to fly through. That said, any stickers at all are better than none.

Stickers go on the inside of the window: False. If you are able to, stick them on the outside of the glass, where they are far better at breaking up reflections.

Window stickers are ugly: Not at all! There are countless different designs that you can try: schools have even held competitions to create the most beautifully-decorated local bus stop.

Other things you can do

Put in net curtains or venetian blinds – these let light in, but also make your windows visible to birds. Similarly, make sure you close your curtains, blinds or shutters when you go out.

Switch your lights off when you don’t need them – not only is this good for the environment (and your purse), it also prevents nocturnal birds from getting confused and striking the glass. Even skyscrapers have started doing it: the Post Tower in Bonn, Germany switches its lights off every night during migration periods.

If a bird still hits your window and is lying motionless, it may not be dead, but merely stunned. Put it in a darkened box for an hour, and it may calm down and recover enough to fly back out into the world.

As towns and cities expand, glass collisions may seem like a growing problem, but more and more buildings are being designed with bird safety in mind. There are now many offices, galleries, schools and even zoos with coloured, frosted or striped glass, using creativity to make bird safety beautiful. And you can be part of it.

How to Stop Birds From Flying Into Windows

Learn how to stop birds from flying into your glass windows. Have you ever heard the sickening “thud” of a bird hitting your window glass? Do you hate seeing a gorgeous winged creature lying on the floor, lifeless beneath your window? Unfortunately, every year almost a billion birds suffer terrible deaths due to window collisions in the U.S. only. If you want to prevent birds from flying into your windows, the first step is to understand why birds collide with windows.

Why Do Birds Collide with Windows

Bird strikes occur due to many reasons. Birds are different from people. They do not see the world like we do. They fail to recognize windows as barriers. The reflections they see in a window’s glass often look like open spaces to them. This makes them fly full-speed into a window.

Because bird strikes are extremely common, you might think that birds have poor eyesight, but that is not true. In reality, birds’ eyes are on the sides of their heads, which gives them a wide-angled vision. This 360-degree view gives them the opportunity to spot any predators or rivals that may be approaching. However, this also means that it is difficult for them to focus directly in front of them.

Reflections of Vegetation can cause Bird Strikes

During day time, birds spot reflections of vegetation or see plants through the glass windows. Their attempt to reach those plants results in them colliding with windows. However, nighttime collisions are also common. Nocturnal migrants such as songbirds tend to crash into windows because they’re attracted to the lights they can see through them. They follow the unnatural light because they misinterpret it as the light from the moon or stars that they rely on for navigation.

If you have noticed, bird collisions tend to increase in the spring season. This is because spring is considered the breeding season in which male birds define and defend their territories. This enhanced bird movement leads to an increase in the probability of birds colliding into windows. Furthermore, your window may be the male bird’s defined territory. While you may find it annoying, the bird pecking on your window is actually trying to defend itself. The bird may identify its own reflection as an intruder or danger and may end up attacking the window.

Lastly, birds may also collide with windows when they’re fleeing to seek cover from predators. In an attempt to escape dangerous situations or predators, birds panic and get flustered and end up flying into windows.

How to Prevent Birds from Flying into Windows

Now that you know why birds hit your windows, it’s time to prevent it. Thankfully, doing so is easy. Here are a ways to help ensure bird safety.

1. Relocate Bird Feeders.

Move bird feeders and birdbaths to a different location. Bird houses should be placed either within 3 feet of a window or more than 30 feet away from a window. If placed close to a window, they won’t fly away from the bird feeder with enough force to get themselves injured.

2. Hang wind chimes, wind spinners, pinwheels.

These decorative items placed near or in front of windows can drastically help reduce birds flying into windows. The strange motion of these items cause birds to avoid flying near these windows. This one tip alone, has prevented bird strikes at our house for over two years. At the same time, we have not noticed a decline in bird activity.

3. Cover External Reflections.

Many birds crash into windows because of reflections. Blocking the reflections may help prevent birds from crashing into windows. Stickers of other predator birds such as falcons and hawks may also help keep birds away from the windows.

4. Attach Branches on Your Windows.

You can also attach branches in front of your windows. Arrange the branches in such a way that they don’t affect your view but are effective enough to keep the birds at bay. The branches will cause the birds to slow down while flying, thus preventing collision.

5. Cover Windows with Nettings.

You can opt for covering your windows with nettings. Installing netting will not obstruct your view, but will act as a physical barrier between a bird and window. Small-mesh netting is the best option as it enables the birds to jump off unharmed without getting themselves tangled in the nest.

6. Use Lights When Required.

This step should be followed not only to ensure bird safety but also to help save the environment. Switch your lights off when they’re not in use—especially during nighttime, as it will prevent the nocturnal birds from crashing into windows. Make sure you practice this during migration periods as well.

What to do When a Bird Hits a Window.

Despite these measures, if a bird ends up hitting your window, we suggest you go help the bird. If a bird hits your window and falls down, it’s not necessarily dead. When birds crash into windows they get stunned and let their guard down, which allows predators to attack them. However, checking up on the bird and putting it in a dark box in case it is stunned, will help it recover.

Bird flying into window has become a significant issue in the past few centuries due to the expansion of cities and towns with tall buildings and skyscrapers. Adopt the above measures, especially if you’re residing in a tall building, to prevent birds from flying into your windows. See the American Bird Conservancy – for estimates on bird glass collisions.

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How to Stop Birds from Pecking or Flying Into Windows

Got a wild bird that won’t stop pecking at your window? Or, do birds tend to crash into certain windows of your home? Here’s some tips to stop the behavior without harming the bird.

For bird-inspired garden art, also see Creative Birdhouse Ideas.

Help! This Bird Won’t Stop Pecking My Window!

It’s that time of year—wild bird breeding season—when you may hear a bird pecking away at your window. Or, birds crash into windows in their flight path.

When they peck, they aren’t trying to tell you that your feeder is out of sunflower seeds—although some birdwatchers say birds do this as well.

The most likely reason for this behavior is the aggressively territorial nature of some birds—especially during nesting season—and the reflections in your windows.

Birds in flight see the reflection of trees and sky in windows—not a hard, glass barrier, and fly right into them. This kills hundreds of millions of birds every year in the United States alone.

When resting, a bird sees its own reflection in the glass, perceiving a rival bird. And that means it’s time to defend their territory.

The threatened bird may peck, scratch, and use intimidating postures to get this rival bird to go away. But the poor guy has met his match!

Perhaps some figure it out or give up after a few hard pecks, but for others, the aggression can escalate and they are not backing down.

I’ve had numerous emails from readers over the years sharing stories of birds who fixate on a particular house window or car mirror and persist for days or weeks. It’s not fun!

Robins are well known for this, and some cardinals. But it’s not just them. Bluebirds, sparrows, goldfinches and many others have been known to attack their reflections.

And, while it’s not as harmful as flying into a window, the incessant tapping is distressing for everyone involved.

Let’s look at ways to decrease the likelihood of these behaviors.

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7 Tips for Stopping Birds from Pecking or Flying Into Windows and Mirrors

If you’re looking for a magic solution, there isn’t one. If nothing else, make kind choices. The problem is human-made and the birds are just doing what comes naturally to them.

But there are some things you can try to change the circumstances which in turn may get the bird to give up and move on.

1 Block the Reflection

• Cover up the exterior of the window so there is no reflection.
• If you can’t access it, cover the window from inside.
• Use cardboard or anything else you have that can be taped on.
• Window screen could also help.
• It won’t look great but in most cases the problem is short-lived and that may be enough to stop the bird.

Do window decals work?

Not particularly. Decals are no different than anything else covering the window: you need to cover most of the window to get rid of the reflection.

2 Keep Your Curtains Closed

• If you haven’t already, keep the curtains closed to change the reflection.
• If your window is normally uncovered, add a curtain or blind—anything to change how it looks to the bird.

3 Change the Appearance of the Window

These tips can also prevent birds from flying into windows:

• Use a white paint marking pen (see this one at amazon) and draw white lines on the window: 4 inches apart, the entire way across the window. The bars deter the birds and the marker is removable.

• Hang dangling items in front of the window. It could be cords, stained glass art, strings of beads, or hanging plants.