By Alisha Brewer
THUD! Ugh, that sound. That terrible sound whenever a bird slams into our window. Followed by my husband saying, “Bet it doesn’t have the guts to do that again.” (Insert my unamused face.) I’ve noticed that come springtime we see an uptick in the number of birds that collide with our windows. Perhaps it’s the migratory birds returning, maybe it’s all the increased activity fueled by breeding. Either way, it’s no fun for me and definitely no fun for the bird.
So, why do birds fly into windows anyway? Glass is a very tricky concept, even for humans. Humans are able to take visual cues from things such as door and window frames, handles, blinds and shutters and even relative placement on a building. But, let’s be honest, even with visual cues we are still susceptible to running into or becoming confused by glass. Birds don’t have our ability to understand these cues. They often see the reflection of the sky, clouds, trees and outside environment. They perceive these images to be real. So for them, it’s smooth sailing until, quite abruptly, it’s not.
Luckily, there are a few simple things that we can do to help the birds recognize “there is a window right here, don’t fly into it!” I’m currently using decals, which are clings that stick to the window to help birds see that it is solid. They come in all kinds of designs; bird silhouettes (which is what I use), leaves, flowers, vines, butterflies, there’s a bunch. I’ve also heard of individuals creating their own designs with tempera paint or a bar of soap. Some people choose to use bird tape to deter birds from coming near the window. The experts say that the space between patterns and decals should be no more than 4” wide and 2” high and cover the entirety of your window. My decals are definitely not that abundant, and I have still noticed a decrease in the number of casualties that we typically see. You’ll have to play with the positioning of decals and patterns to see what works best for you.
External items such as suncatchers, wind chimes, awnings and screens can deter birds from coming too close to your window. The Acopian Bird Saver, also known as a zen window, is an amazingly simple design of evenly spaced very thin ropes that hang down over your window. Before you turn up your nose at the idea, you should check it out. I think it’s the most aesthetically pleasing option of the bunch!
What do you do if a bird hits your window? If the bird is still alive, check for injuries. If one wing is drooping lower than the other, or if it’s resting at an awkward angle, there’s a good chance that it’s broken. It will need to go to a wildlife rehab center. If the bird is just sitting dazed and confused, and it is in a safe place away from predators, you can just let it be and keep an eye on it. If you are worried that the neighborhood cat might be along shortly, then go ahead and place the bird into a box or a paper bag with a clean rag or some newspaper shreds on the bottom. Make sure to close the lid, or fold the paper to help secure the bird, but also allow enough give that the bird can still receive ample oxygen. Place the box in a dark, quiet area and give it some time. The bird will not require any food or water, just a quiet moment to try to regain its senses. Recovering from such an impact could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours. Check on the bird every 30 minutes by taking the container outside and opening it up. If the bird flies away, pat yourself on the back for taking the time to allow the bird to recover. If, after a few hours, the bird does not fly away, go ahead and take it to a wildlife rehab center- and give yourself a gold star for taking the time to help a creature in need.
If your home has a window that is a magnet for unsuspecting birds, hopefully one of these simple tricks will help to avoid unwanted avian encounters. My decals have definitely cut down on the amount of bird pancakes that we see (and the amusing commentary from my husband). For me, that’s a win!
Alisha Brewer is a veteran zoo keeper of nearly 15 years. U of A alum. Boy mom, veggie dog connoisseur, anti Oxford comma and eternal optimist. Alisha hopes to connect residents to the incredible creatures that surround us.
