Wildlife

Wild Migratory Stopover Bird Window Strikes: Building Design

Window strikes kill millions of migrating birds annually, with building design solutions available to reduce mortality significantly.

Key Facts

Window strikes kill an estimated 25-100 million birds annually in the UK
Glass reflects sky and vegetation, appearing as open space to approaching birds
Bird-safe glass patterns with 2x4 inch spacing are effective when covering the full pane
Exterior window films and UV-reflective patterns reduce strikes without significantly affecting human views

Welfare Considerations

Birds killed by window strikes die from head trauma and broken necks. Injured birds that survive initially often die from internal injuries hours later. Building design solutions that prevent strikes are commercially available and architecturally compatible with modern construction.

What You Can Do

Apply external window films or bird alert patterns to strike-prone glass areas
Place feeders either less than 1m or more than 10m from windows to prevent strike speed
Advocate for bird-safe glazing requirements in new building planning regulations