Nearly half of all window strikes happen at residential houses, which is why it’s so important for renters and homeowners to take steps to make their homes bird safe. See below for tips that fit every budget, from DIY solutions for your yard and windows to installing professional screens and films.
For those who live in the greater Portland Metro area, we also encourage you to sign up for our Backyard Habitat Certification Program to receive expert advice on landscaping with native plants and recommendations for minimizing bird strikes. You can also sign up to Take the Pledge to go Lights Out to help reduce the impacts of light pollution on nesting and migrating birds, other wildlife, and on human health.
Naturescaping Approaches
- Move bird feeders & baths far away from (>30 feet) or close to (<3 feet) windows
- Move large houseplants away from windows where strikes are common
- Visit the Backyard Habitat Certification Program for more information on naturescaping
Decals and Window Film
- Densely apply patterns or decals to the outside of windows (4” apart). Options include: CollidEscape dot pattern, decorative decals, Feather Friendly dot pattern, ultraviolet decals, Bird’s Eye View.
- Apply a window film like CollidEscape or Solyx to the outside of the window
Cords, Netting and Screens
- Netting, bird screens, or other approved birdsafe products over the outside of the window. Options include: Acopian BirdSavers, bird screens, Polly™Net bird netting.
- Roll down sunshades also help reduce collisions.
DIY Solutions
- Use tape to create stripes on outside of window: 1/8 inch vertical white tape, 4” apart.
- Use UV Paint pens
- Use Tempera paint stencils
- Instructions on making your own Acopian BirdSavers
Lighting Solutions
- Take the pledge to go Lights Out
- Turn off unnecessary lights overnight every night, or during migration seasons: mid-March through early June and late August through mid-November
- Ensure that all exterior lighting is properly shielded and aimed down
- If you’re converting exterior lamps to LED, choose a warm light LED (under 3,000 Kelvins)
- Make sure you’re not over-lighting: carefully choose the wattage of your exterior lamps
- Switch to motion sensor lighting
- Check out this wildlife friendly lighting that meets the International Dark-sky Association’s Fixture Seal of Approval
For more detailed BirdSafe resources and those geared specifically toward professionals, check out our Toolkit.
What to Do if a Bird Hits Your Window
If a bird hits your window, observe it before handling. Some strike victims recover after initially being stunned. If a stunned bird is in imminent danger (i.e., a lurking cat), place it in a box and set it in a safe and quiet place. Check the bird in one hour. If it is alert, active and able to fly, release it immediately. If the bird is still having trouble, bring it to the Wildlife Care Center, 5151 NW Cornell Road (open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day, 503-292-0304).