Alert your Birds!
Birds face several dangers during their life. Many of these are human caused and we can take steps to alert birds to dangers we put in their way.
Windows may be responsible for billions of bird deaths each year. The hummingbird pictured here was brought to us as the result of a window strike. Fortunately, he has survived. A few simple steps may save the lives of birds near your home.
Bird Feeders
First, if you have bird feeders, place them less than three feet away from windows. This prevents the birds from building up enough momentum to incur serious injury if they do hit your window. Alternatively, place feeders more than 30 feet from your windows. Then, if they are alerted to danger, they are more likely to fly into the trees than your windows.
Houseplants
Your houseplants thrive near windows, but they also attract birds. When birds see your plants through your windows, they may try to fly to them to perch or hide. The further away your plants are from windows, the safer for the birds. Alternatively, place your plants in windows away from the location of your feeders.
Windows
Corner windows or windows that appear to provide a pathway through your home (such as windows on opposite sides of the house or room) look like a clear path but the windows become a death trap. Close curtains or blinds to prevent that illusion of a clear pathway.
Visual alerts can break up the reflections that confuse birds and cause them to fly into your windows. A sticker or two doesn’t do the trick. Stickers must be no more than 4 inches apart vertically and nor more than 5 inches apart horizontally. Essentially, you need to almost cover the entire window. Stickers or film with certain patterns or that reflect UV light are effective.
An alternative to stickers that still allows you to see out your window is using vertical lines hanging outside the window. Acopian Bird Savers (https://www.birdsavers.com/) uses parachute cords that hang vertically at 3.5” to 4.25” apart. These are available for purchase or you can make your own. Another option called the Bird Crash Preventer (http://stores.santarosanational.com/) uses monofilament (fish) lines. These are both very successful at preventing bird strikes.
Tape (http://www.collidescape.org/abc-birdtape) or films (http://www.conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly/feather-friendly/ and https://www.decorativefilm.com/specialty-bird-safety) are an easy and cost effective solution. Just apply to the window every 4” vertically or every 2” horizontally to stop bird strikes.
Please take a few minutes to determine which windows might be the most likely to result in injuries to birds and use one of the suggestions above to help save our local avian wildlife. Then sit back and enjoy watching the birds in your yard.
Tri County Wildlife Care, a local nonprofit started in 1994, is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of our native wildlife and helping our community live in balance with wildlife. They envision a world where wildlife and people thrive together. For more information call (209) 283-3245, or visit pawspartners.org.
Windows may be responsible for billions of bird deaths each year. The hummingbird pictured here was brought to us as the result of a window strike. Fortunately, he has survived. A few simple steps may save the lives of birds near your home.
Bird Feeders
First, if you have bird feeders, place them less than three feet away from windows. This prevents the birds from building up enough momentum to incur serious injury if they do hit your window. Alternatively, place feeders more than 30 feet from your windows. Then, if they are alerted to danger, they are more likely to fly into the trees than your windows.
Houseplants
Your houseplants thrive near windows, but they also attract birds. When birds see your plants through your windows, they may try to fly to them to perch or hide. The further away your plants are from windows, the safer for the birds. Alternatively, place your plants in windows away from the location of your feeders.
Windows
Corner windows or windows that appear to provide a pathway through your home (such as windows on opposite sides of the house or room) look like a clear path but the windows become a death trap. Close curtains or blinds to prevent that illusion of a clear pathway.
Visual alerts can break up the reflections that confuse birds and cause them to fly into your windows. A sticker or two doesn’t do the trick. Stickers must be no more than 4 inches apart vertically and nor more than 5 inches apart horizontally. Essentially, you need to almost cover the entire window. Stickers or film with certain patterns or that reflect UV light are effective.
An alternative to stickers that still allows you to see out your window is using vertical lines hanging outside the window. Acopian Bird Savers (https://www.birdsavers.com/) uses parachute cords that hang vertically at 3.5” to 4.25” apart. These are available for purchase or you can make your own. Another option called the Bird Crash Preventer (http://stores.santarosanational.com/) uses monofilament (fish) lines. These are both very successful at preventing bird strikes.
Tape (http://www.collidescape.org/abc-birdtape) or films (http://www.conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly/feather-friendly/ and https://www.decorativefilm.com/specialty-bird-safety) are an easy and cost effective solution. Just apply to the window every 4” vertically or every 2” horizontally to stop bird strikes.
Please take a few minutes to determine which windows might be the most likely to result in injuries to birds and use one of the suggestions above to help save our local avian wildlife. Then sit back and enjoy watching the birds in your yard.
Tri County Wildlife Care, a local nonprofit started in 1994, is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of our native wildlife and helping our community live in balance with wildlife. They envision a world where wildlife and people thrive together. For more information call (209) 283-3245, or visit pawspartners.org.