Wildlife

Wild Bird Window Strike Prevention

Window collisions kill hundreds of millions of birds annually and are largely preventable through simple modifications to glass surfaces.

Key Facts

Window strikes kill an estimated 100-300 million birds annually in the USA alone
Birds cannot perceive clear or reflective glass as a barrier
Markings on glass must be spaced no more than 5cm apart to be effective
UV-reflective film visible to birds but not humans is available for large glass areas
Corner feeders placed close to windows (less than 1m) reduce strike speed and injury

Welfare Considerations

Window strikes cause acute head trauma and death or prolonged disorientation and injury. Many birds appear stunned after a strike but have internal injuries that cause delayed death. The scale of mortality from this single preventable cause makes window strike prevention one of the most cost-effective bird welfare interventions available to individual householders.

What You Can Do

Apply window collision prevention film or Acopian BirdSavers to your largest windows
Place feeders either less than 1m or more than 10m from windows to reduce strike risk
If a bird is stunned by a window strike, place it in a ventilated box in a quiet warm place for an hour