Having a problem with birds pecking at or flying into your windows?
The Americans estimate that close to 1 billion birds die each year in the United States from collisions with windows. These windows apparently are not truck or car windows rushing down on birds at break-neck speeds, they are plain and simple, stationary home windows!
Now, we've heard of friends an acquaintances having trouble in South Africa with birds courting their own reflections or attacking that "enemy" in the window. But kamikaze birds of this calibre are a new breed, to us.
According to the Audubon website's article on birds striking windows, Daniel Klem, a biologist at Pennsylvania's Muhlenberg College, has been studying the problem for three decades.
Mr Klem says that the primary causes of these fatal collisions are the reflections the American birds see in the window glass. The birds apparently see non-existent "escape routes" in the reflections and then flap eagerly to their doom. Transparent glass can cause birds to collide into the unseen windows.
The speed and force of the impact can cause instant death. Stunned birds who do not die immediately may actually have fatal injuries. These injuries can range from a brain haemorrhage to other internal bleeding. Stunned birds also make for easy pray.
Getting Ready For Kamikaze Birds
Our approach to this subject is a little light, as you may have noticed. The reason is that our experience, living with birds in South Africa, cannot support the "facts" quoted in the Audubon article. But then again, we don't claim to be experts either...
A billion birds translate into a lot of meat. Are Americans picking up and utilising this bounty, as the Israelites of the Old Testament did, or are they flicking their noses and stepping over millions of little bird corpses?
Yup, the problem does sound a little exaggerated to us. Yet, there are some good suggestions for people that do have a problem with birds striking windows. And who knows, South Africa is becoming a very popular destination for visitors from around the world, so it may be wise to prepare for visiting Kamikaze birds from America, and in the process maybe solve a problem we didn't even know we had.
Window Collision Precautions for Birds
The steps you can take to prevent birds striking your windows aim to:
- remove the windows from bird fly paths
- reduce the reflectivity of your windows and
- to indicate to birds that the window actually exist.
Some of the suggestions address only one of the objectives, while others address two or more simultaneously. We have listed the suggestions in order of effectiveness, as we see it.
Bird Feeder Placement
Many birds are startled while feeding and strike windows in the rush to escape.
Audubon suggests placing bird feeders within three feet of windows. The birds will not be able to gather enough speed to do too much damage, if they should collide with the window.
Placing bird feeders more than 30 feet from a window will give birds a chance to recognize the window as an obstruction.
The suggestions seem practical to us. You might still end up with a few unconscious birds, but they'll live! And that is always good...
Window Blinds And Curtains
White or light-coloured curtain linings and blinds can eliminate a lot of the reflectivity of the window, when drawn. Covered windows are also not transparent.
Most homes already have curtains or blinds, and a lighter coloured lining facing outside can reflect some of the sun's heat. This suggestion is our favourite, as it offers functionality to the home dwellers as well. Drawing curtains or blinds during the day can save energy and bird lives!
Great!
Bug Screen
Bug screens or summer screens outside windows reduce reflectivity and transparency, while keeping the creepy-crawlies out!
Especially in Africa, this suggestion makes good sense. Unfortunately bug screens seem to have gone out of fashion in most areas of South Africa.
Window Decals or Outside Window Ornaments
Decals or objects placed on or in front of windows reduce the window reflection and make windows more visible. Wind chimes and "dream-catchers" are good candidates for this solution.
Decals are easy to install and available in many styles, but to be effective they must be closely spaced. Audubon suggest a spacing of 50mm horizontally, and 200mm vertically. Ribbon on the outside of a window must also be densely spaced. The density of these objects may obstruct your view, which may cause people not to implement this solution. If you can live with some objects in your windows, remember, some covering is better than none.
Bird Netting
You could install a fine mesh netting over your windows. This tightly stretched "bird trampoline" will cause birds to "bounce" off your windows without obstructing the view.
Audubon says that it "works well". Some do-it-yourself is needed, but it might be worth the trouble just to see birds "bouncing off" your windows!
Problem: Some birds may still die from getting entangled in the netting if not properly installed.
Tilted Glass
Window tilted - ground is reflected. Yes it is TILTED windows, not tinted windows.
Tilting the glass in a window allows the ground to be reflected. This is supposed to discourage birds from mistaking your window for shelter and escape routes.
This method is deemed "not foolproof" by the Audubon article, but they claim that it is "an easy" solution during construction or remodelling.
In South Africa we deem this suggestion to be simply idiotic. Standard window frames are not designed to be installed in a tilted position, so this suggestion would be prohibitingly expensive!
Fritted Glass
"Fritted glass" is Audubon's term for what we know as frosted glass. (You know, toilet and shower windows!) This reduces reflectivity and transparency but totally obstructs your view.
This idea will never fly!
Plastic Window Films
An opaque plastic sheet stuck on the windows gives them a solid appearance.
Audubon says that available films severely limit visibility. So, this solution to stop birds striking windows has the same problem as the previous solution.
Birds Striking Windows - Questions
We would like to know (But don't have the research background, time or resources!), what the effect of window tinting and tinting films would be on birds striking windows.
We would also appreciate any comments on this article. We know that we aren't experts of bird behaviour. We will consider revising or adding to the information on this page, if a well written, motivating comment is posted here.
In the meantime, maybe all you South Africans wouldn't mind taking part in a research project? Please come and post the daily totals of birds striking your windows here.
As South Africans are blissfully unaware of this tragic problem, we feel that this project might raise public awareness. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
A Final Thought on Birds Striking Windows
South Africans care for nature, and few things can liven up a beautiful garden quite like a rich variety of birds can.
So, do your best to save our feathered friends from crashing into your windows. If you implement some preventative measure that will stop birds striking windows, they promise not to poo on the washing again!
Further Resources:
Fatal Light Awareness Program - Information and resources on birds striking windows
