Birds and Windows

During every autumn migration, the Chintimini Wildlife Center admits numerous birds that have suffered injuries from colliding with windows. As birds group together and move en masse to warmer climes, they often frequent backyard birdfeeders and concentrate around homes. Greater concentrations mean more birds are likely to crash into windows.

There are several reasons why birds fly into windows:

The windows may reflect nearby shrubbery and trees. Rather than perceiving the glass, the birds think they are flying into the reflected vegetation. View this yourself by stepping outside to see what the bird sees. Do this several times during the day to account for changing light conditions.
With large picture windows, the birds may be able to see all the way through the building, which creates the illusion of open space and a clear flight path.
Birds may fly into the glass if there are houseplants hanging in the window — they think that they are flying into the plants.
The birds see their own reflections, and may think they are able to go where the "other" bird is.
They may be fleeing predators or they may even be the predator chasing a prey species, and for all of the above reasons do not perceive the glass in their high-speed maneuvering. (Every year we admit several sharp-shinned hawks and a few coopers hawks that have hit windows while hunting around bird feeders.)

To minimize these hazzards, make the glass visible to the birds by doing the following:

Attach black silhouttes of diving hawks or strips of opaque tape to windows.
Move houseplants away from the glass and close curtains over windows and sliding glass doors whenever possible.
Attach decorative objects with suction cups to the window, as long as they do not mimic roosting areas.
Blinds and window screens may provide enough of a visual clue to birds so they can avoid injury.

In the event that a bird does hit a window and is injured, do the following:

Gently pick up the bird in a towel and place it in a ventiated box.
Put the box in a dark, quiet place (a closet works well), and do not feed it, give it water, or handle it further.
Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility for advice.

Often these birds suffer from mild concussions that they recover from if left to rest for a while, so the less contact with them the better.

If you hear that telltale "thump" of a bird hitting a window, try and get to it as soon as possible. There are many cats out there that have learned to recognize that thump and associate it with an easy meal and they will be racing you to the bird.