Wild Bird Window Collision Prevention

Up to one billion birds die from window collisions annually in the US; simple deterrents on home and building windows dramatically reduce mortality.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million to 1 billion birds die from window collisions in the US annually
Glass windows appear as either transparent (showing continuation of habitat) or reflective sky to birds
UV-reflective window films are visible to birds but largely transparent to humans
Ribbon patterns, exterior screens, and bird-safe glass all significantly reduce collisions
Building design can incorporate collision-reducing glass at relatively low additional cost

Welfare Considerations

Window collisions cause immediate death or serious injury to hundreds of millions of birds annually. Even birds that fly away after striking glass may suffer internal injuries leading to delayed death. The scale of this mortality represents a massive ongoing welfare harm that is largely preventable. UV-reflective window coatings, external screens, angled glazing, and patterned glass are all effective deterrents. The gap between available solutions and their adoption represents a major opportunity for welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Apply bird-safe window film or tape patterns to large windows at your home
Report dead birds found near buildings to citizen science collision monitoring programs
Advocate for bird-safe building design standards in new construction
Support organizations testing and promoting collision deterrence solutions
Move bird feeders to within 3 feet of windows or more than 30 feet away to reduce collision risk