Wildlife

Wild Bird Window Strike Prevention

Window strikes kill hundreds of millions of birds annually in North America alone, making buildings one of the leading human-caused threats to bird populations.

Key Facts

Up to one billion birds die from window strikes each year in North America
Birds cannot perceive glass as a barrier — they see reflections of sky and trees
Migratory birds are particularly vulnerable at night due to light attraction
Simple patterns on glass reduce strikes by up to 90%
Low-cost solutions like decals, screens, and fritted glass are highly effective

Welfare Considerations

Birds that strike windows often die immediately from trauma or die shortly after from internal bleeding or neurological injury. Those that survive the initial impact frequently suffer concussions and may be predated while stunned. Designing bird-safe buildings and retrofitting existing structures with visual markers represents a significant, achievable welfare improvement for wild bird populations.

What You Can Do

Apply bird-safe tape or decals to glass doors and windows at home
Advocate for bird-safe building design standards in your city
Report window strike locations to conservation databases
Place feeders either very close to or far from windows
Support legislation requiring bird-safe glass in new construction