May 8th, 2019 2:50 PM by NE TEXAS REALTY GROUP
Homeowners have big windows that bring light, views and the outdoors into their homes or recreational properties. But all that glass can be a killer. Every year, millions of birds die when they fly into glass.
Commercial buildings were once thought to be the biggest culprit, with confused birds flying into windows at night. That still accounts for large numbers of bird deaths, but more recent research shows that one and two-storey homes and cottages are to blame for the majority of bird strikes. Most of those strikes happen during daylight hours.
Putting visual markers on the exterior of the glass is more effective than pulling down blinds or closing curtains but they have to be installed correctly. Many people put up hawk silhouettes, but they don't work well. Birds may avoid the immediate area where the silhouette is because they see something is there, but the rest of the window is still exposed.
Residential tape or dots placed on the outside surface of windows is more effective. Spacing dots in 2x2-inch or 2x4 inch patterns is enough of a visual cue and from inside the dots aren't noticeable.
Pick a contrasting color, for example white dots on a window shaded by overhangs.
Being bird friendly may even be an excuse to get out of a household chore.
During mating season, aggressive male robins and jays tend to bump against the window, thinking their own reflection is another bird.
Applying soap to the windows will help. On the bright side, when it rains you'll have clean windows, but the downside is that you'll have to reapply.
Winter is also a bad time for bird strikes, as more people put bird feeders in their yards. Position bird feeders less than 1.5 feet from your windows, or more than 30 feet away, to prevent birds from flying into bird feeder reflections. Having the feeder more than 30 feet away reduces the chance of a feeder being reflected in the window and having it closer than 1.5 feet away means birds have already started to slow down and if they do hit the window may not be as badly injured.
If you find an injured bird contact your local wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
