Bird-window collisions are a major source of wild bird mortality globally. In the UK alone, an estimated 100 million birds die in window strikes annually. Simple interventions significantly reduce collision rates.
Window strikes cause blunt trauma including brain injury, spinal damage, and internal bleeding. Birds that appear merely stunned may have significant internal injuries — they should be placed in a ventilated box in a dark, quiet environment for 1-2 hours and if not recovered should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator rather than released. Preventing strikes through permanent window treatments is far more effective than post-collision care. The scale of mortality is so large that even small reductions in individual buildings aggregate to significant conservation impacts.