subject: Preventing Birds From Flying Into Exterior Windows [print this page] It doesnt matter if you live in a warm or cold region; birds are everywhere. They can be a beautiful addition to a spectacular day around the neighborhood, even when the ground is covered with snow.
However, every year thousands of birds are killed flying into windows on homes and buildings. Part of the problem is the birds inability to distinguish glass from everything else. Sometimes they will see their own reflections and in many cases, being territorial, chase after themselves crashing into a window.
Large picture windows are the biggest problem but small ones can also be a cause of bird fatalities, especially above first floors.
The best thing people can do to help prevent such incidents is mark their windows. It doesnt mean cover them up completely so you loose your view but create signs or impressions that the glass is actually a physical barrier and not a separate entrance way.
Here are a few suggestions for how to do it:
1.Add screens to windows.
2.Mark glass with predatory bird stickers, which will keep other birds away. In essence, any stickers will work.
3.Pull down the shades at least a quarter of the way, which may be parallel to a birds flight path.
4.Some opinions say hang plants near windows, other say dont. It really depends on if it produces an effect whereby the window becomes more alive.
5.Dont put bird feeders near windows, as birds may fly quickly towards them crashing.
6.Wind chimes near a large window will scare away birds.
7.Hang ribbons or similar things down from windows.
Finally, consider that birds often fly low but in general dont. That means whatever steps you take to prevent birds from flying into a pane of glass you shouldnt have to completely cover your windows.
Also, it may be that these incidents only occur during nesting season. If you find this is the case, or that it happens more during one part of the year, remember to coat the windows the following season to give the few birdies that cant see the window the chance for a longer life.
