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Building a Home

Preventing bird strikes

12 years ago

I get these a lot in my current house. So horrible. Is there anything I can do in new construction to discourage the birds from thinking that my windows are patches of sky to be flown through?

Also, my current place is in the middle of an open field with few trees, and future place is in the middle of a forest. Will the change of setting decrease or increase the likelihood of the strikes?

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Comments (6)

aj33
12 years ago
I have had some bird strikes and most of them have been in an area where there were windows on both opposing walls. I am assuming that the birds fail to see glass in that situation. Do you have a similar situation or they tend to strike random windows?
bus_driver
12 years ago
Some male birds, notably Cardinals, see their reflection and interpret it as a rival. They repeatedly attack the phantom rival. I know one fellow with a picture window who installs a huge net from his rain gutter to the ground a few feet from the window in mating season.
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jenswrens
12 years ago
Here ya go. Preventing Window Strikes

Here is a link that might be useful: Info on Bird Strikes
bevangel_i_h8_h0uzz
12 years ago
Or, you could just let your windows get good and dirty and stay that way so that the birds can see the glass. LOL!
burntfingers
12 years ago
There is a company that makes a special glass called Ornilux -- there's a lot of helpful information on their website -- that can be used instead of regular glass in windows. When I spoke with their rep she told me that Marvin has offered their glass as one of their "special" glass options. (You have to ask for it, probably thru the head office.) Other companies may as well.... for new construction, this is probably the best bet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ornilux glass
folkvictorian
12 years ago
Birds often fly into our windows, especially in the spring and fall when they're migrating and unfamiliar with our yard. There's a gigantic silver maple that shades our back yard and provides a great, safe place for birds, but it's close to the house. We have a big bank of windows on that side, too, and that's where most of our trouble is. Having screens on the outsides of the windows helps, but doesn't eliminate the problem.

For the windows without screens, I bought window cling film (tinted) and just made a 10" flying-bird-shaped template out of cardboard to make cut-outs. I put 2 of these on the outsides of each of the windows and it REALLY cuts down on the strikes -- we noticed a dramatic decrease right away. Just Google "tinted cling film for windows" and you'll see stuff at Amazon and other retailers. I'll see if I can find a photo of our clings.

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