Avoiding window collisions
Many of us know the dull thump of a bird hitting a window. It’s a common occurrence and as urban sprawl continues window collisions are a growing concern for the safety of our avian allies. Some estimates suggest up to a billion birds collide with windows each year, with the majority resulting in death.
Birds often see windows as reflections of safe habitats, like foliage or sky, leading them to crash into the glass. At night, lit windows can disorient birds, causing them to veer off course. During the breeding season, some birds even attack their reflections, mistaking them for rivals.
Preventive measures
Get creative
Draw on your windows to help birds see them as barriers. Vertical lines or grids work well. Use UV liquid markers, yellow highlighters, clay, or soap. High contrast colours are best, with lines no more than five centimetres apart, covering the entire window.
Use decals
Apply closely grouped stickers, decals, or tape. Birds focus on the gaps between objects, so ensure the stickers are close together to prevent birds from thinking they can fly through.
Get dirty
Clean windows might look nice but can be deadly for birds. Allowing some dirt, grease, or grime to build up can make windows more visible and reduce collisions. Next time you consider cleaning your windows, think of the local birds and leave some natural dirt.
If a bird does collide with your window, use gloved hands to place it in a safe area away from predators before contacting your local wildlife rescue centre for further advice.
