Simple Solutions for Protecting Birds from Windows

Goals: Remove/interrupt reflection, stop/soften the impact, and reduce risk.   
500 million songbirds hit residential homes in North America each year.
Good news is that there are simple, affordable, view-saving, and nice looking solutions!

Studies show most bird collisions are never seen or heard. Most are predated before we ever see them. Affordable, easy, and simple solutions are below. Window strike prevention is one of the easiest, most attainable, and convenient actions we can all take to make a huge conservation impact. You CAN make a difference! 
Email Native Bird Care if you would like a free pdf of this content. 
Feeder placement:  
  • Put either very close (w/in 3 feet) or over 30 feet away. Closer slows speed of bird impact
  • Always place kitty-corner to house, not directly in front of windows
  • Further away is better, with trees between window & feeders

Window Screens: Stops impact (or cushions), retains views well, reduces reflection
  • Leave window screens on all windows
  • Residential professional option: www.birdscreen.com (use plant hooks to extend distance from window)
  • Decorate or keep plain old window screens hung outside of window
 
Window Decals/Films/Decorations: interrupts/reduces reflection, many retain views
  • Place every 2” horizontal x 4” vertical apart (per ABC, FLAP research) (sometimes less will work)
  • Window Alert UV stickers are decorative, work great when placed appropriately Wild Birds Unlimited
  • Bird Tape by American Bird Conservancy comes in 50’ roles, cut short sections – www.abcbirdtape.org
  • Variety of options – decorative, tape, commercial, dots, films: www.collidescape.org
  • Feather Friendly - variety of see-through films, effective: www.conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly
  • Decorative see-through films of various designs like etchings of birds and trees: Solyx bird-safety film
  • Colorful, holographic, or shiny string or tapes, decorations or holographic windsocks: Wild Birds Unlimited
  • Zen window cords – simple, easy, little view loss: www.birdsavers.com
  • Note: Window films if increase the reflection can cause more strikes. Be sure it is a type that prevents strikes. Some that increase energy efficiency make it worse.
 
Wildlife Netting: Retains view best, prevents impact completely, nearly 100% effective
  • Garden (or wildlife) netting (1 inch holes or less)  
  • Hang so net is taut so bird ‘bounces’ off - at least 4-6” from window 
  • Decorative plant hangars or even the eaves work to hang on. Be creative
  • Place hangars on corners of windows. Cut net to fit space. Drape or attach net corner to hangar
  • Secure bottom of net using more plant hangars, cup hooks, or be creative.
  • For more ideas or help: email us at lovenativebirds@gmail.com
Picture
Hard to see, but there is actually netting on this window. Garden netting is fine, large holes, and not heavy. For views, it is one of the best solutions. It stops the birds from hitting at all.
Commercial Solutions:
For large-scale solutions, larger windows, or nesting
• www.birdbgone.com; www.collidescape.org; www.conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly; Solyx bird-safety film;  www.birdsavers.com; www.birdscreen.com 
 
Other Options & Ideas
  • Nature-scape between feeders and windows or hang potted plants
  • Do not place feeders within direct line of sight of windows, place at corners of house
  • Close drapes or blinds while away or in unused rooms (can sometimes make it worse though)
  • Move inside plants away from windows so birds do not aim for them
  • Impede see-through ‘passageways’ 2 corner windows you can through
  • Picture of Human Face on inside of window looking out – stops “angry” birds too
  • Don’t wash windows, most windows are rarely looked out of anyway
Picture
Children came up with this one! A good emergency solution until a more long term one was chosen.