Wildlife

Wild Bird Window Strike Prevention

Window strikes kill hundreds of millions of birds annually worldwide, making them one of the most significant human-caused bird mortality sources.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million birds are killed by window strikes annually in the UK
Collisions occur when birds cannot perceive glass as a barrier
UV-reflective window patterns are visible to birds but transparent to humans
Feeder placement more than 1 metre or less than 30 cm from windows reduces collision risk
Netting, frosted film, and external screens are effective prevention measures

Welfare Considerations

Window strikes cause acute suffering and death to enormous numbers of birds annually. Simple, affordable prevention measures that make glass visible to birds can prevent the vast majority of these collisions.

What You Can Do

Apply window collision deterrents such as decals, Acopian BirdSavers, or frosted film
Position bird feeders within 30 cm of windows or more than 1 metre away
Install external netting as the most effective protection for problem windows
Rescue any bird that hits a window - keep it in a dark, quiet box until recovered
Advocate for bird-safe glass standards in new buildings and renovation projects