How You Can Stop Bird-Window Collisions

Fellow member of the Bird-window Collision Working Group (BCWG), PA Audubon Council reports,

A leading human cause of bird deaths is collisions with glass windows, doors, and other reflective and transparent surfaces. Peer-reviewed, published research estimates that a daily minimum average of 3.5 million birds collide with glass in the US alone; 1.28 – 3.46 billion annually. The majority of these deaths occur in low-rise buildings of four stories or less, including residential homes.

Recording of a recent Lehigh Valley Audubon Society presentation on Bird Window Collisions and How You Can Stop Them by LVAS President, Peter Saenger

During a recent Lehigh Valley Audubon Society online presentation, Bird Window Collisions and How You Can Stop Them, our chapter President, Peter Saenger, explained in these few minutes:

How-to make a simple, inexpensive, very effective version of Acopian BirdSavers to prevent bird-window collisions at your home.

Materials:

  • vinyl siding J-channel (or wood trim or anything similar that is relatively stiff)

  • tape measure

  • utility knife

  • spool of 1/8" paracord

  • lighter

  • drill

  • outdoor Velcro

Directions:

  1. Measure the width and height of the entire glass area of a window.

  2. Cut a piece of the J-channel to the width of the window.

  3. Cut strips of outdoor Velcro (enough to space about every 2 feet), and affix one side of the strips to the J-channel.

  4. Use a utility knife to cut the nailing flange off of the piece of J-channel.

  5. Drill 1/8" or slightly larger holes every 4" in the J-channel.

  6. Cut pieces of 1/8" paracord to the height of the window, enough pieces to hang every 4" across the width of the window.

  7. Use a lighter to seal the cut ends of the paracord.

  8. Tie a simple overhand knot near the end of each piece of paracord, and thread the unknotted end through each of the drilled holes so that the cords will hang from the J-channel.

  9. Across the top of the OUTSIDE of the window, with the paracords hanging down from it, attach the J-channel by exposing and using the other side of the strips of outdoor Velcro.

You're done!

The window can be cleaned behind the cords, but the Velcro permits easy temporary removal, whenever necessary.  

Read more on our website about Bird-Window Collisions and Lights Out.

Other bird-window collision deterrence options:

Learn other DIY options or purchase ready made products from Acopian BirdSavers.

Photo of Feather Friendly® Bird Collision Deterrent

Learn how to install Feather Friendly® Patterned Tape like the example pictured here to prevent bird-window collisions.