Bird Window Strikes
Fall migration is underway, and hazards to migrating birds are all around. Among the most serious are glass windows, because their reflective or transparent surfaces can look like a clear flight path. Ornithologist Daniel Klem believes that window strikes are a major source of human-caused mortality in birds, second only to habitat destruction. Through his research, Klem estimates that between 100 million and 1 billion birds are killed in North America each year due to collisions with glass. While bird window strikes may be most noticeable during fall and spring migration, particularly in downtown areas with their tall buildings and abundant glass surfaces, windows on all types of buildings present a hazard to birds year round. To reduce bird window strikes at home, try some of the following:
- Observe bird movement and behavior around your house to see which windows present the greatest hazard to birds.
- Keep windows fully or partially covered. Consider screens on the outside of windows or light-colored blinds, shades, or curtains inside (although indoor fixes are generally not as effective as outdoor fixes).
- Affix decals or other objects to window surfaces, such as hawk silhouettes or seasonal decorations. A single decal is not very effective; for better results, apply multiple decals over most of the window surface. Or create patterns on the window surface with non-abrasive, easily removed materials like soap, Bon Ami, or spray-on snow.
- Hang moving objects, such as strips of mylar ribbon or unwanted cd's, in front of windows on the outside. Stationary objects, including plastic owls, do little to deter birds.
- Consider the placement of feeders, bird baths, and other features that attract birds to your yard. Feeders should be less than 3 feet from windows so that a bird leaving the feeder will not have enough momentum to get hurt if it flies into a window. Otherwise, place feeders at least 30 feet away from windows.
A related issue is the impact of lighted buildings on birds migrating at night. To read more about the Fatal Light Awareness Program, go to www.flap.org. To find out about how new buildings are being designed to be more bird-friendly, go to http://magazine.audubon.org/features0403/alert.html
Today's photo of an american goldfinch in breeding plumage is by R. Hayes Cummins, Ohio Bird Photo Collection.
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