Scare Bird: Protecting Birds from Crashing into Windows and Doors

 

Scare BirdBirds of many types have been killed by flying into glass windows and doors. In fact, according to the Audubon Society, recent evidence shows that collisions with glass may be a major source of avian mortality that's widely overlooked. Experts believe that about 100 million birds die each year in collisions with buildings and skyscrapers in the United States and Canada alone.

Certainly it is troubling to the homeowner, many of whom are looking for ways to help keep birds from such destructive action.

The prominent use of glass as a construction material has led to one category of bird collisions. The birds, either fast-flying or frightened, simply do not see the glass at all.

They fly into it without being aware of its existence.

To address this problem, many people have taken to using a stylized silhouette of a sharp-shinned hawk and attaching it to their large glass areas. The shape seems to make the birds aware of the solid material of the window or door and they avoid it as if it were a wall--which it really is.

The silhouette here is the one used by most homeowners. We are providing it here for your use, to make larger, to trace, to put on stronger backing for attaching to your window. We hope its use will help you in saving birds and enjoying your property without worry about birds.

However, the silhouette will not help if the bird is pecking at or attacking your window. This is more-aggressive behavior typical in the breeding season. The bird may be perceiving its own reflection as a competitor and attempting to drive it away by "attacking" the window. The Audubon Society notes that songbirds may repel other individuals in order to reduce competition for mates, food, and secure nesting to increase their chances of successfully raising their young.

 

 

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