Do you have bird-friendly windows? 4 easy steps to get started
Windows are dangerous for birds—especially when you keep them shiny and clean. Birds confuse the reflection they spot in your window for an extension of your yard. They usually spot a tree or food source in the reflection that they’re drawn to. Flying into the windows can injure backyard birds and vary in severity—even being the cause of around 1 billion bird fatalities a year. Take these quick steps to keep your feathered friends safe!
1. Re-think your setup
Your feeders and birdbaths should be between 3 feet and 30 feet from your home. If your feeders and birdbaths are 3 feet or less away from your home, it’s less likely they’ll be injured if they hit your window since they won’t be coming towards it at full speed. If it’s 30 feet away, they’ll have a good distance to recognize the difference between your home and your yard.
2. Decals, tape, or paint
Adding decals, tape, and other markings on the outside surface of your windows is a super easy and effective way to help out avian pals. There are lots of different materials you can use. Creating grid patterns with tempera paint or tape is one way to do this. Putting window decals or suncatchers on your windows is another common choice. Just know that most of these methods work best when the tape or decals are close together (2 inches apart vertically; 4 inches horizontally). Our friends at All About Birds have some great ways to add these patterns to your windows.
3. Screens or netting
Some folks would rather use window screens, like the ones used to prevent pesky bugs from coming inside your home. Screens are a great way to dim the reflection and glare on windows. Adding netting 2-3 inches from the outside of your windows is another alternative method to make your windows bird-friendly. It blocks birds as it gently bounces them away from your windows.
4. Window blinds
If you’re not looking to add anything to the exterior of your windows, vertical blinds make for a good alternative. You can keep the openings between the blinds narrower, which lets light into your home and creates a natural vertical pattern that makes it hard for birds to see a reflection in the window—making it less likely for them to fly straight into your window.
Making these quick and easy changes is a great way to be mindful of our feathered friends—minimizing injuries and fatalities from flying into your windows. Have a question about bird-proofing your windows? We’re happy to help! Ask your question here.
SOURCES:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-your-windows-bird-safe
https://www.audubon.org/news/think-you-have-bird-friendly-backyard-think-again
https://www.nycaudubon.org/take-action/make-nyc-bird-friendly/make-your-windows-bird-friendly
https://abcbirds.org/blog/truth-about-birds-and-glass-collisions
