Fall migration is well underway, bringing scores of birds through the Florida peninsula on their way south. It’s an exciting time to be a birder, as we see fall warblers in the branches, an abundance of shorebirds refueling on our beaches and raptors soaring overhead. Their long journeys are an incredible phenomenon – one that requires a lot of energy and can be a particularly stressful part of the year for them.
When birds are exhausted and on the move, some of the threats they face become even more intense. Window collisions are one such threat that sees an uptick during migration season. Collisions with glass pose a major threat to bird populations and are estimated to kill up to a billion birds each year.
Birds can’t use the context clues that we do to understand that a glass barrier is present. When we see a window frame or a sliding glass door, we know that we can’t pass through because we are familiar with these objects. A bird will see one of two things when looking at a window, depending on the light conditions. They could see inside or could be seeing the reflection of the surrounding landscape. For birds to steer clear, they need visible markers, preferably on the outside of windows, that make the barrier obvious.
If you are noticing collisions around your home, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to let birds know they can’t fly through – and these solutions don’t have to ruin your view.
- Use tape or tempera paint to create patterns or designs on the outside of your windows.
- Use screens, netting or hanging string curtains over windows to break up reflections.
- Place decals on your windows. It doesn’t matter what shape these decals are – hawk silhouette decals don’t actually prevent collisions more than other shapes, so choose whatever you would like. The important thing is that decals be close enough together. Experts recommend they be spaced no more than every 4 inches horizontally and 2 inches apart vertically.
Just a few simple changes can remove an obstacle for our feathered friends as they make their journey southward – keeping them safe so we can see them again next spring. For more information and examples of bird-safe windows, check out the extensive resources from the American Bird Conservancy.
