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Keeping Your Windows Safe for Birds
Each year, the Wildlife Center admits a variety of songbirds and raptors that crash into windows. While this occurs year- round, many window-strike patients are admitted in the fall and winter at the Wildlife Center. In October – November 2010, for instance, eight birds were admitted to the Center after flying into a window, including a Hermit Thrush, a Lincoln Sparrow, and three Sharp-shinned Hawks. The Center also receives numerous calls about birds with impact injuries that never make it into the Center–some recover within a matter of minutes, others don’t survive the collision.
If you find that birds are striking a particular window in your home, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has information on how to assess the problem. Is the window reflecting the landscape behind it? Is there another window on the opposite side of the house, creating the illusion that birds can fly through? Getting a “birds-eye view” will be an important first step in solving the problem.
One solution is to alter your window’s appearance by breaking up the reflection in it. Falcon silhouette cut-outs are one popular way to do this. This isn’t because of the shape of the falcon, however—just the simple fact of having any shape in the window will assist with breaking up the reflection. Bearing this in mind, there are a variety of decals that are available commercially in many different shapes. Some are even UV coated, to make them nearly invisible to humans. Another economical option is to make your own cut-outs—even snow-flakes or other holiday shapes will do the job!
 If you do see a bird strike a window, you can help it by placing it in a box and leaving it in a quiet, dark place. In 30 minutes, take the box outside and open it up to see if the bird flies away. Many times birds that strike windows are just stunned and simply need a quiet dark place away from predators to recover. If you open the box and the bird does not fly away, call the Wildlife Center of Virginia for help or locate your closest permitted bird rehabilitator. For other rescue advice and ways to help wildlife, please visit our “I Need Rescue Advice!” page.
About half of the 2,000+ patients admitted to the Wildlife Center each year are birds. The Center depends on the donations of generous individuals for the care provided to these “feathered friends”. Please help!
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