One hundred million to one
billion birds die each year due to collisions with human-built structures across North
America alone. It is the reflective and transparent characteristics of glass that make
windows invisible killers. Birds see the tree reflected in a window, or the plant behind
the window, not the glass itself. To stop these collisions one must make glass visible to
birds.
Homeowners often affix a single, black hawk-shaped silhouette to their picture window in
an attempt to protect birds. Unfortunately, this rarely does the trick. The
silhouette only covers a small portion of the window and unless the bird is headed for
that particular spot, it will not deter it from hitting the window.
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To make the silhouettes more effective you
must cover the entire surface of the window, from the outside, with silhouettes or other
patterns two to four inches apart. Alternately, attach a large silhouette to the glass via
a suction
cup. The wind will cause it to move slightly - enough that it may alert the bird to a
moving presence - and the heavy, rigid plastic will rattle on the glass surface.
Unfortunately, you will still need to cover a majority of the window surface in order to
have the fullest effect.
The following ideas show greater promise than silhouettes in reducing bird collisions.
However, THEY MAY NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM! Visit our CollidEscape page to
achieve best results at collision reduction.
Top 10 Ways To Make Glass Less Of A Hazard For Birds (starting with the most to the least
effective technique)
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- For best results at reducing bird collisions with windows
while not interfering with the aesthetics of your home get CollidEscape.
- Turn your window into a work of
art by using a special window film that gives the appearance of acid etching or
sandblasting. This
film can also have a design cut into it. However, in order for it to have the fullest
effect the exposed areas of glass must be no greater than two square inch zones. You can
also frost the exterior surface of a window yourself. You can create
beautiful images through etching into glass.
- Cover small and medium-sized
windows with netting,
chain or rope, preferably soccer net grade. Make sure you leave space between the glass
and netting. It will then act as a trampoline
if a bird should hit it.
- Though not very attractive, whitewashing
windows has positive results at controlling daytime window collisions. One can apply
whitewash on a seasonal basis then simply wash the windows when the migration seasons are
over.
- Incorporating exterior
sun shades can also aid in reducing bird strikes.
- Hang ribbons or other material in strips no more than five
centimeters apart on the outside of windows for the full width of the glass. For even
better results consider using Wing
Chimes. If you are interested in learning more about Wing Chimes please
email us at mailto:flap@flap.org?Subject=Wing
Chimes.
- Where you place a bird feeder in relation to your
windows can increase or decrease the chances of bird collisions. Most feeding stations are
placed in the
worst possible locations. Make sure your bird
feeders and other attractants (birdbaths, nutritious vegetation) are less
than half a meter from any window. If
the attractant is very close to the house, most of the
time the bird cannot build up enough momentum to injure itself should it hit the window. Click
here to learn how to attract birds to your yard.
- Not only are bird feeders usually placed in the
worst possible locations, the layout of our interior living space can also contribute to
the likelihood of birds colliding with windows. When a window at the front and back of
your home face each other or when two
windows meet at a corner they give the impression
of a clear passage.
- To help reduce this
dangerous illusion you need to draw drapes and close blinds
whenever possible. This will also help if you have plants inside the house close to the window.
- Since hawk silhouettes work much better when they
move, make your silhouettes from sheet aluminum or wood and hang them by chain
or rope from an overhang.
Here are four techniques that have displayed no conclusive
results for window collisions prevention, however they are deserving of further research:
- Bye-Bye Birdie is based on the scientific principles of a geomagnetic field. Using a
specialized magnetic system, Bye-Bye Birdie emits a magnetic field which theorectically
will disrupt a bird's geomagnetic orientation causing them to avoid the disturbed area.
- Deserving of more research is UV window coatings. Birds see
ultraviolet light where as humans do not. Theoretically, by treating the exterior surface
of glass with a UV coating might make a window appear as a solid object without obscuring
our ability to see though glass. A new product called Window Alert has adopted
this concept. However, much like window decals this product only covers a fraction of a
window's surface therefore only addressing fraction of the problem.
- Bird-X-Peller takes very high fidelity recordings of birds' distress
call and inscribes them on to a microchip. Birds perceive danger when they hear these
sounds where they become agitated and disoriented, and flee the area.
- Birds are irritated by ultrasound in specific frequency
ranges, which is undetectable to humans. Bird Chase emits these
frequencies discouraging birds from entering a 6,000 sq. ft. area.
Finally, you can help find a solution for this global
problem by becoming a member of the Fatal Light Awareness Program or by making a donation.
FLAP members receive two issues per year of the newsletter "Touching Down" as
well as periodic bulletins.
For more ideas check out our links
page.
For more info or to pass on any ideas for preventing window strikes that have worked for
you, please click here
VOLUNTEER ALERT: FLAP
Needs Your Help
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