Homes Safe For Birds

Homes Safe for Birds
Life is as dear to a mute creature, as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.
-Dalai Lama

Most people have experienced the heartbreaking thud of a bird hitting a window. Or maybe we’ve observed a territorial bird pecking at its reflection in glass or a mirror.

Why does this happen? Unfortunately, birds have no concept of glass. They may see their reflection and fight with the image they see. Or, reflected trees and sky, a tempting potted plant seen through glass, or a view straight through the building or glass balcony railing can trick birds into thinking that they can sail through to the other side. Birds that do not die on impact can go into shock, become easy prey for predators such as cats.

Canadian research¹ estimates 25 million birds fatally collide with windows at low, mid and high-rise buildings annually.

¹Quantifying Human-related Mortality of Birds in Canada, September 2013

Download our PDF brochure for more information about how you can make your home safe for birds.

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What can you do to help keep birds safe?

Windows are everywhere: in our houses, cottages, condos, apartments and even balconies.

For spring and fall migrating birds, glass can be deadly.

Guidelines for Window Visual Markers and Bird Feeder Placement

Photo: FLAP Canada

The window markings in this image were applied to outside surface of glass using an oil-based Sharpie and a cardboard stencil of a maple leaf.

To effectively reduce bird collisions with your windows, you will need to make your glass look like a barrier for birds to avoid by using visual markers. A visual marker is a pattern of any shape that is applied to or hung in front of your window. Be creative, treat your windows like a canvas. Please follow these 5 guidelines when applying markers:

SPACING
Separate markers by spaces no more than 5 x 5 cm (2 X 2 inches).
SURFACE
Apply markers to the exterior surface of glass.
CONTRAST
Make sure the markers stand out in contrast to the transparent or reflective glass surface under varying daylight conditions.
SIZE
A marker should be no less than 6 mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.
COVERAGE
Cover the entire glass surface.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) APPLICATION
When applying UV treatments, ensure these patterns reflect 20-40% over the 300-400 nanometer wavelength.
BIRD FEEDER PLACEMENT
Place bird feeders less than 1.5 ft (0.5 metres) away from windows.

Thank you for protecting birds in your neighbourhood! Please share your creations with us at flap@flap.org.

Helpful Visual Guide

Use this visual as a guide. Place over various areas of your treated window. If no markers can be seen, the spacing is too big.

Download and Print (PDF)

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Note: BirdSafe and FLAP Canada do not endorse or recommend any commercial glass product or manufacturer, therefore, mention of commercial products on this website cannot be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. BirdSafe recommends consultation with glass manufacturer representatives for answers to your specific questions on price, quality, etc. or to request a quote for any window treatment.

Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on conditions such as landscaping, topography, building design, lighting, local bird populations and the condition of the product itself. No window solution can guarantee elimination of bird-window collisions. Reference Terms of Use.

Additional Ways to Keep Birds Safe

Think bird safe with birdfeeders and birdbaths
To help prevent injury or risk of collision, place birdfeeders and/or birdbaths less than a half metre (< 1.5’) or closer from your windows. Over this short distance, birds cannot build up enough momentum to injure themselves should they hit a window. The closer to your window, the better it is for the birds and your viewing.
Place houseplants away from windows
Interior houseplants attract birds and may deceive a bird into flying into the plants. Instead, it flies into the glass. Move houseplants away from windows, and install blinds to be drawn during the day with slats turned open.
Plant Native Plants
Plant native trees, shrubs and flowering plants in your yard to provide food, shelter and nesting areas for birds. Visit the North American Native Plant Society (nanps.org) for tips.
Leave window screens in front of windows
Exterior screens in front of windows help reduce the risk of birds colliding with windows by muting the reflective qualities of glass. This is only effective for those windows with screens. All uncovered glass remains a threat.
Refrain from cleaning your windows
Bird collisions increase dramatically when windows are sparkly clean. Even minute dust particles on windows help reduce the reflective qualities of glass.
When you find an injured bird
Should a bird hit your window, gently place it inside an unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box firmly secured. Place it in a quiet location away from people and pets. Do not give the bird food or water. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions, or visit flap.org/find-a-bird for more information.
When you find a baby bird
Visit helpbabybirds.ca for more information.
Be a Community Scientist
Grim, we know. But if you should find a bird injured or dead by a window collision, you can contribute to bird behaviour and species research by reporting the incident on our mapper, a global mapping database. As we collect data, eventually, we’ll be able to determine where there is a concentration of collisions (a “hot zone”) and what makes a building, corner or intersection particularly deadly.