Make Your Glass Safe For Birds
Keys for Success
Always add patterns on the outside surface of glass. Place markers 2 inches apart if using window film or paint (or 4 inches if using hanging paracords). If you use just one or a few stickers, or if markers are spaced too far apart, birds will try to fly through the gaps the way they fly through gaps in a tree canopy, and they will hit the glass.
Follow These Simple Steps to Make Your Glass Safe for Birds
1. Decide Which Glass to Treat First
- Glass that has caused known collisions.
- Glass near areas that attract birds (e.g., bird feeders, water features, gardens, trees and shrubs).
- Glass that creates a “passage effect” to trees or other habitat (transparent or reflective).
- Glass at the end of rock walls, outcrops, or other “funnel” shaped landscape features.
- Glass in a courtyard.
2. Choose your Treatment
Pick a DIY option or purchase a product to install. Here we provide a few solutions known to be effective in reducing collisions. If choosing another product, please verify that the product you choose has been tested as effective in reducing collisions using this rated product list from American Bird Conservancy.
DIY Projects
Paracord Curtain
All you will need is 1/8″ paracord and an attachment material.
Tempera Paint
All you will need is tempera paint, a paintbrush, and a creative idea!
Stencil & Paint Pens
All you will need is a 2×2″ pattern stencil of your own creation and paint pens.
Glass Treatment Products
Acopian BirdSavers
Pre-spaced paracord attachment that hangs down over glass. Options range from DIY to commercial installations. Some sizes may require professional installation.
Feather Friendly Film
Rolls of patterned vinyl in various sizes, colors, and patterns. Options range from small-scale to large-scale installations. Some sizes may require professional installation.
ABC Bird Tape
Rolls of vinyl tape that can be used for squares, lines, or unique patterns. This product is mostly useful for small-scale or residential projects and can be installed yourself.
CollidEscape Bird Safety Film
CollidEscape has dotted film options but is mostly known for full coverage film. Options range from small-scale to commercial installations. Some sizes may require professional installation.
SOLYX Bird Safety Films
SOLYX offers a variety of patterned films that can be used for small or large-scale projects, including a film that is bird-friendly while also reducing sun reflection and heat impact.
Exterior Installed Insect Screens
There are many types of insect screens that can be installed to windows and doors. These can range in material and price. Local stores offer standard screens and custom screens can be ordered.
Full Facade Treatments
Exterior Cladding Systems
Glass façades (building exteriors) can be covered and personalized with cladding systems using louvers, netting, ceramic rods, aluminum chains, metal screens and more.
Motorized Exterior Shade Systems
Motorized shade systems are designed to give privacy and control heat, glare, and insects. As long as they are installed on the outside of glass, they can also prevent collisions!
Bird Safe Glass Replacement
Patterns in glass can be made by acid-etching, ceramic fritting, lamination, and even digital printing. Many companies offer a variety of pre-set or custom bird-friendly patterns.
3. Install Your Treatment
Always treat the external side of glass. If applied on the inside, it may be obscured by reflections on the outside.
If the glass you want to treat is very difficult to reach, consider hiring a professional to install your treatment for you.
If you can’t permanently alter your windows, you can use tempera paint, paint markers, or paracord to make your windows visible to birds.
In addition to making your windows visible to birds, you can also turn lights out at your residence during both spring migration (March-June) and fall migration (August-November).
You Did It! What’s Next?
Share Your Success & Encourage Others!
Share photos of your successful installation with friends and neighbors. When posting on social media platforms, include the hashtag #StopBirdCollisions and click the hashtag to see other projects like yours!
Go to our Media Room for shareable resources to help you inform your friends and family about how to prevent bird collisions.
