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Preventing Window Strikes
How to Avert Birds from Hitting Your Windows
Thump! It’s that awful sound which probably means that a bird as flown into your window. It is not uncommon for birds to fly into windows. Millions of birds (particularly migrating birds) die or are injured each year in collision with glass windows in homes and office buildings. Although there are numerous reasons which account for bird strikes, the primary cause is reflection: they cannot see the glass at all because it is transparent or they see a reflection of the outdoors, and try to fly through what appears to be unobstructed open space. Often a more-aggressive behavior occurs during the breeding season, when a bird repeatedly "attacks" a window. Seeing its own reflection as another bird, it is trying to drive it away, attempting to defend its’ territory from a perceived intruder- its’ own reflection.
The most effective way to prevent window strikes is to drape or tack thin netting (fruit or crop, small 1/2 " mesh which is sold in garden centers and hardware stores), a volleyball net, soft fabric screen, or shade cloth over the outside of the window. It can hang loose, stretched taut, or tacked onto a frame. Another solution is to cloud the outside of the window with something which will leave a non-reflective, opaque surface on the glass. Brasso, glass-wax or fake snow all work well. If the bird is attacking car mirrors, put bags over the mirrors or cover them with socks when the vehicle is not in use.
You can also try using hawk silhouettes to discourage window casualties. Placing the silhouettes close together (no more than 2 or 3" apart) on the outside of the glass will prevent random window hits. Silhouettes can be purchased at the Connecticut Audubon Society Nature Store.
Bird feeders should be within 2 to 3 feet of the window or placed further out (30 feet or more). By placing feeders up close, birds can’t get enough velocity to damage themselves against the glass when panicked by a perceived predator. Feeders placed further out give birds more room to maneuver.
In many cases, when a bird strikes a window, it’s just stunned and will fly away soon. With gloved hands, carefully pick up the bird and place it in a safe area away from cats and other predators. It should fly away within an hour after it regains its senses. For further information about window strikes, contact the Connecticut Audubon Society at 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Visit Connecticut Audubon Society’s website at www.ctaudubon.org for more information and a complete listing of programs and special events.
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