Avoiding Bird Strikes

Avoiding Bird Window Strikes

Hudson is located in the Mississippi Flyway, a major migration route used by birds each fall and spring on their journey to and from nesting and wintering grounds. Millions of birds die each year from window strikes, as window glass is highly reflective, showing the birds a mirror image of the outdoors.

Birds then believe they have a safe passage through that area, but instead collide with the glass, causing injury/death. Birds are also attracted to the lights in home at night and may fly into the adjacent window.

The danger of window strikes is not limited to neighborhood birds, as migratory birds are particularly susceptible to night time window strikes.

It is common for one particular window in a home to be a target for strikes, either because of flight paths, tree and shrubbery locations or territorial aggressiveness.

If a bird is nesting near the problem window and it sees its reflection in the glass it may try to attack the window. Since the attack behavior occurs during nesting season treatment noted below may be removed once the season has passed.

Another issue is clear line of sight. If you look through a problem window in your house and you can see a clear path through to another window then it is likely a bird will think it can fly through.

There are several ways to address issues with specific problem windows that may be experiencing bird strikes:

• Installation of window films that mute reflectivity while allowing clear views from inside
• Hanging closely space decals or window clings inside of a window
• Keeping blinds or sheer curtains closed or partially closed
• Avoid hanging houseplants
• Placing bird feeders and bird baths at least 15 feet away from the house

The American Bird Conservancy provides additional information on these issues at their website.