Wild Animals

Bird Window Strike Prevention

Collisions with glass windows and buildings kill hundreds of millions of birds annually and are largely preventable.

Key Facts

Between 100 million and 1 billion birds are killed by window strikes in the US each year
Birds cannot perceive glass as a solid barrier and fly into reflections of sky and vegetation
Low-frequency patterns or fritting visible only to birds can dramatically reduce strikes
Placing feeders very close (under 30 cm) or far from windows reduces strike risk
Night-time building lighting during migration contributes to disorientation and collisions

Welfare Considerations

Window strikes cause both immediate death and serious injuries such as concussion, spinal trauma, and broken wings. Surviving birds often die later from internal injuries. Simple modifications to windows and lighting can prevent enormous unnecessary suffering across billions of birds worldwide.

What You Can Do

Apply window collision deterrent films, stickers, or external screens
Turn off non-essential building lights during bird migration seasons
Place bird feeders close to or far from windows to reduce strike risk
Advocate for bird-safe building design standards in your area