Over one billion birds are killed yearly by sticking windows, and almost half of these incidents happen in residential homes.
Window reflections from clear or tinted windows appear as landscapes, dual or single pane. Birds do not recognize reflections as not genuine. So the birds run into windows at high speeds causing serious injury and sometimes even death to the birds.
Bird collisions can also create a hazard for homeowners, such as flying debris of glass, broken glass, and costly repair.
Prevent Birds Glass Collisions
Daniel Clem Jr is an ornithologist and expert with over 45 years of research experience. He has dedicated his life to educating conservationists and building industry members on the severe problem of bird strikes.
In a recent interview, he discussed the pros and cons associated with the glazing industry as it relates to its effects on birds and global bird-window collisions.
Benefits of Glass windows
-
Glass offers health advantages.
-
It provides protection yet allows the ability to view outside
-
Aesthetically pleasing
-
Provides architectural creativity
Cons of Glass windows
-
By flying into windows, up to 1 billion birds are killed annually in North America alone. (Reference)
-
Birds are not capable of seeing the glass.
-
A low estimate of 100 million is equivalent to 333 Exxon Valdez oil spills yearly. (Reference)
Through research, scientists have learned that birds behave as if glass windows are invisible to them. This occurs in 2 conditions:
-
The clear glass appears as if habitat and the sky can be passed through during flight on the other side of the clear glass panes.
-
The other most prominent occurrence is that glass windows create a deceptive illusion for birds, reflecting off the outside surface of glass windows. (surface 1) Reflections off of surface 1 are the most troublesome for all birds.
What is a Bird Strike Prevention Window Film?
Bird Strike Window Film is a printed graphic decal known as a distraction film that birds can identify as accurate. This bird window tinting is a non-reflective film that prevents birds from colliding with your new window or building by applying this easy do-it-yourself solution.
Window tinting films provide a wide range of solutions. With new printing advancements, window tinting films can now be UV printed on, providing additional capabilities that resolve bird collisions with glass windows.
Bird-friendly window films are printed with a unique pattern designed and tested to prevent bird collisions.
Anti-collision bird strike window film has patterns that are 2 inches spaced horizontally and four vertical spacing, proven to deter birds from attempting to pass through glazing and stopping birds from hitting windows.
Broken home windows due to bird collisions with glass
The hardest part in the process is identifying the windows that might require treatment. Sadly, and more often than not, the presence of an injured bird or bird feathers is a vital clue that you have a bird strike issue.
Why do birds run into glass?
Birds cannot distinguish between glass and nature. Birds often see natural habitat, and generally, reflective windows present the view of blue sky or realistic reflections, thereby tricking birds into assuming they can fly through the glazing. Bird safety window film shows birds with a UV printed pattern that they can see and prevents birds from striking glass.
