Urban Wildlife

Bird Window Collision Prevention

Window collisions kill an estimated one billion birds annually in North America alone, making them one of the leading human-caused sources of bird mortality.

Key Facts

Up to 1 billion birds die from window strikes in the US alone each year
Birds cannot perceive glass as a barrier and fly into reflections
Collisions are often fatal due to brain trauma even without obvious injury
Simple solutions can reduce collisions by 50-90%
Migratory species are particularly vulnerable during spring and autumn

Welfare Considerations

Birds that collide with windows experience trauma, concussion, and often fatal brain injury. Those that appear stunned may die hours later from internal injuries. The scale of mortality has measurable population-level impacts on some species. This is largely preventable with widely available, inexpensive interventions. Even partial mitigation on a single building can save many lives.

What You Can Do

Apply window films with closely spaced UV-visible markers or physical patterns
Use external screens, netting, or shutters on problem windows
Move bird feeders either very close (under 1m) or far (over 10m) from windows
Turn off unnecessary interior lights at night during migration seasons
Consult BirdLife or American Bird Conservancy for specific product recommendations