Woodpeckers & Feeders

​Birds & Windows: Simple Solutions

Feeder placement:  
• Put either very close (w/in 3 feet) or over 30 feet away.
• Always place kitty corner to house, not directly in front of windows
• Closer slows speed of bird impact, making survival higher
• Further away is better, with trees between window & feeders

Wildlife Netting: 
• Garden (or wildlife) netting - inexpensive, DIY solution
• Nearly 100% effectiveness if installed correctly; allows excellent view out of window
• Installation instructions:
   • Hang so that its taut at least 4-6” from window 
   • Hang on plant hangars or anything you choose to attach to 4 corners of window
   • Can also hang off eaves, or be creative
   • If bottom is attached, net allows bird to just 'bounce' off the netting
   • Net: choose bird or deer netting for gardens, small holes of 1” or less
   •For installation instructions, email us at nativebirdcare59@gmail.com
• Professional options: see below

Window Decals: 
• Effective if placed every 2” horizontal x 4” vertical apart (per ABC, FLAP research)
• Window Alert is the most see through, but just a few don’t work
• American Bird Conservancy – www.abcbirdtape.org

Window Additions:
• Colorful or shiny string or tapes, or other decorations
• Holographic windsocks (WBU)
• Professional option: www.birdsavers.com
• Professional option: 

Window Screens: 
• Take old window screens, decorate, and hang on outside of window
• Leave the window screens for the window on even in winter
• Residential professional option: www.birdscreen.com (use plant hooks to extend distance from window)
• Commercial professional option: www.birdbgone.com

Decorative Window Films 
• Applied to the outside of a window, aids in energy gain too
• Films only work if they do not produce mirror effects, otherwise they are worse
• ​www.collidescape.org 
• Solyx® Bird-Safety Film 
• Sun Shield Pros Decorative film 
• Feather Friendly

Solar Shades - lower heat gain and save birds!
• Available as premade screens; manual, solar powered, or wired. 
• Custom options available through glass businesses & others
• Costco has affordable solar screening: Costco Solar Shades

Commercial, Professional, & New Construction
• Full list of what passed the ABC success test at: American Bird Conservancy
• www.featherfriendly.org 
• Glass options for new construction: ABC Birds

Other
• Naturescape between feeders and windows
• Do not place feeders within direct line of sight of windows, angle them to window
• Close drapes or blinds while away or in rooms not in use
• Move plants near inside windows, 
• Impede “see-through” passageways created via 2 windows in a corner
• Picture of Human Face on inside of window looking out – reported to work well

Best sites for more information:
www.flap.org/residential.php
www.abcbirds.org
www.nationalbirdday.com/ab_windows_birds.php www.audubonportland.org/issues/metro/bsafe/windows 

​

Those Darn Woodpeckers!

Woodpeckers indicate a healthy forest and mitigate insect damage in our trees. Many commercial "solutions" for woodpeckers either do not work or harm the bird. And, though they may anger us, it is not kind or legal to harm them. Prevention is key, using physical solutions. Once a nest with eggs or babies is established, it is illegal to interfere in any way. 

A legally permitted bird rescuer can move the nest only if it is ensured the parents will return to the new location (less than 2 feet away). Removing a tree or limb with an active nest (eggs or babies) is illegal and kills babies. A woodpecker nest can be cut out of a tree or limb and replaced somewhere else on that tree. Leave the trunk of the tree, and wire the cavity onto the trunk. 
HARDWARE CLOTH - MAKE SURE THERE are NO BIRDs/BABIES IN A HOLE prior to covering!
PictureOther cavity nesters may find your house appealing too.
  •  this is a metal mesh.
  • Metal works great for woodpeckers.
  • Staple either directly on the damaged area,
  • or better, place it away from the house and angled to enclose the entire area.
  • ​Paint to match house with a metal-grade paint.  
  • Make sure the bird cannot get behind the mesh!​
SHEETMETAL - Glue or tack down over holes or areas. Paint to match. Bend around trim
NETTING (called Garden or Wildlife)
  • IMPORTANT - ensure a bird cannot get behind the netting (or you'll have to rescue them).
  • Attach to the underside of the eaves. Attach bottom so it is taught and secure sides or bird will go behind the netting.
  • Framing for a professional look. Be creative. 
BOX THE AREA IN - 
  • ​​Enclose gable ends or put box around - a woodpecker wants to be UNDER the eaves, protected. Eliminate that option. ​Never leave a space over a beam open or vent holes without screen.​
MYLAR STRIPS (OR OTHER SHINY THINGS) - 
  • Tack up shiny Mylar strips every few inches across eaves. Tack down bottoms or add weight to keep down by adding duct tape. Holographic wind socks also work.
HANGING UP ANYTHING works, if you put enough of it - 
  • ​PARACORD OR ROPE: BirdSavers.com has a nice professionally produced product. "Scary Eyes" balloon; Holographic stringers, yard art items like pin wheels, be creative. Netting is less noticeable.
WINDOW SOLUTIONS - many of these solutions work for woodpeckers too. 
DRUMMING PREVENTION
Woodpeckers "drum" to mark territory during breeding season. 
  • Paint metal caps, ridgelines with Rubberizing paint (talk to the Hardware store). Glue or attach burlap to wood or other non-flammable surfaces. Provide alternative drumming sites. ​Tolerance - get up when they do.
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