Wildlife

Wild Bird Window Collision Prevention

Glass windows are responsible for hundreds of millions of bird deaths annually in North America alone, making them a major avoidable threat.

Key Facts

An estimated 600 million to 1 billion birds die from window strikes annually in North America
Birds cannot perceive glass as a solid barrier — they see reflections of sky and vegetation
Collisions peak during spring and fall migration when bird traffic is highest
Simple measures can reduce collision risk by up to 90%

Welfare Considerations

Window strikes cause deaths and serious injuries including concussions, broken bones and internal bleeding. Birds that survive initial impact often die later from injuries. This is a largely preventable source of suffering — simple changes to glass or building design can dramatically reduce impact rates.

What You Can Do

Apply window collision deterrent films or tape in horizontal stripes
Close curtains or blinds when not in the room to reduce reflections
Move bird feeders to within 1 meter of windows (too close to build speed)
Advocate for bird-safe building standards in new construction