In the spring and autumn, birds are migrating from their summer to winter homes. In their journey they can sometimes fly into windows of houses or cars, falling victim to the glass. It’s not only sad but dangerous as well for our flying friends.
to prevent this from happening again, you have to understand how a bird sees a window – its feathers or its reflection?
Birds only see the world in two dimensions which means that while they can see clearly what is directly in front of them, anything passing above or below this line will be seen as a blur. So if the bird tries to fly through an object above or below where it thinks it should be, it will try to get through a window by going through it, not around it.
You cannot train birds not to fly into windows (you can’t even train birds to avoid flying into them), but you can make it harder for them by adding these 3 simple things:
1. Vertical blinds
Vertical, Venetian or pull-down blinds on the outside of your windows will create a shadow on the window. Birds see this shadow and will avoid it, but the vertical blinds won’t stop them from seeing any objects above or below the window pane.
2. Wired construction paper
Cut construction paper into pieces that are just a little bigger then your window pane. Glue these pieces of paper together with double-sided tape to create a thicker piece. Attach this piece to your window with sticky tape. The construction paper will create shadows in front of the window giving birds a visual cue to avoid it.
3. Feathered or patterned decorative decals
Decorative decals can be purchased that are covered with feathers or have designs on them that mimic the shapes of things in nature, like trees and plants, so when birds see them they know not to approach the windows where they are stuck.
How to Save Birds
To protect the birds that fly into your home’s windows, merely clean the glass and then apply a special protective film on it with water, smoothing out any bubbles as you go along. The film comes in two varieties: cling and non-cling. Crawling birds benefit from non-cling, whereas flying birds prefer cling film because its static charge repels them away from the glass. Applying both types of materials side-by-side will maximize your efforts and protect all birds.
As an added bonus, window films also protect glass from the elements and block up to 99% of UV radiation, which can cause fading in furniture and flooring. When you combine this protection with the fact that birds do not fly into windows covered in such a film, it’s a win for both parties.
Using special window film in your home or commercial buildings can help to keep birds away from your windows. There are many different types of film that is available for this purpose, including simple static cling versions and more advanced versions that use ultraviolet (UV) light waves.
When the UV rays hit the glass it causes a reflection that deters birds from flying into it. This type of film is hardly noticeable by humans but very difficult for birds to get past. Even spiders have been known to get stuck on it when they try to walk across its surface which you will see when visiting our how do I get rid of bugs website for information on removing insects.
The best way to save birds from flying into your windows is through prevention because once an animal has crashed into the glass there is never anything that can be done except take its life which no one should be willing to do. There are ways right now that you can help save these animals who fly into the window by following the tips listed below:
Not only is it frustrating for humans who like to keep birds away from their windows, but it is also very dangerous for the bird. When a bird flies into a window, its eyes can bleed and pop out of its head. The bird will die because there is no way to fix the damage that has been done. If you think there may be an easier solution than killing off these poor animals, learn how to save birds from flying into windows with this helpful information
There are many ways that people try to save birds from crashing into their windows at home or in commercial buildings such as airports and other businesses. Some have used decals, sticky tape, window markers or even newspapers to try to deter birds from the windows.
These things may keep them away for a little while but it is not a permanent solution. Birds are smart enough to figure out how to get past these methods over time so they are best used only as prevention instead of solutions.
How To Take It One Step Further
For those who want to create a beautiful stained-glass effect on their windows without resorting to a replacement or building new structures, there is another option: solar screening film. This material causes sunlight to appear as if diffused through clouds and it blocks harmful rays while maintaining an inviting atmosphere indoors. Its use is perfect for doorways and other areas where birds may congregate, such as patios and decks.
Why It Matters
From songbirds to hawks and eagles, birds are in danger every day due to flying into windows. The good news is that there’s something we can do about it: we can create a safe environment for them in our homes and outside of them by applying bird-friendly films and screens on all available glass surfaces.
Stay aware of this issue and chances are you won’t need to rescue another bird from an untimely fate. Do your part, save a life.
How to Help an Injured Bird
If the bird is injured, try to determine if it’s safe to move it. The bird may be having difficulty breathing or its neck may appear limp. In this case, you should go ahead and place the bird in a box with a towel at the bottom (to provide comfort and warmth) and bird (then bring it to a vet or wildlife centre as soon as possible. If there are no visible signs of injury, causing you to suspect internal injuries, do not attempt to handle it because this could lead to further injury.
Slide the bag over his body and gently close it at the top so he can’t poke himself out. Poke some very small ventilation holes near where his head will go.
Now go find some people who are willing to help you with the rescue. They will need to know where you live because they will have to come to get the bird once it is safe for him to travel in a box or crate.
Take the bag outdoors and poke a stick into one of the ventilation holes. Slowly turn it until you see that he’s coming around, then open up the top of the bag so he can escape if he wants to fly off on his power – which he most likely will do! Be prepared for this possibility by having an open container with water in it nearby (never feed any type of wild animal). If they can’t fly away, take them back right away since birds become prey to cats, dogs, and other animals in the wild.
If the bird is still not awake or he’s a seagull or a crow or any type of larger bird that you think might be dangerous to handle, wait until dark then open up the bag and tie it closed with something that won’t let him wiggle out (hint: string). Then go inside and wait for morning when he’ll most likely fly away on his own (and he’ll know where you live – so don’t do this if you don’t want birds coming around all the time!).
If it’s an injured sparrow, kill blowfly larvae by putting some dirt in a plastic container and mixing this with water (so it looks like chocolate milk). Now you can put this in a corner of the bag for when he wakes up, which will make him think it’s safe to go there.
Steps for first aid:
If the bird looks healthy enough but is simply dazed from crashing into a window, place it in a box for about an hour or two to allow it to rest.
Steps for a successful release:
Once the bird seems healthy, place it in a quiet area with little or no human or animal interference for a few hours before releasing it back into its natural habitat. If the bird cannot be released within 24 hours because of weather conditions, take it to a wildlife rehabilitation centre as soon as possible. However, call your local humane society first how to find out if they can provide you with further assistance.