How To Prevent Birds From Flying Into The Window

Many small birds such as the fire-crested salute and the robin with very territorial possession often fly directly into the glass door to drive away their shadow that they think is the enemy. This condition can occur year-round, but is especially troublesome when birds are in the breeding season. You can prevent birds from entering the windows of your home and office by taking some safety measures. There are also products that have been tested by ornithologists and approved for sale on the market that are also very effective in preventing birds from entering window glass.

Table of Contents

Adjust the window

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Stick strips of tape to the window on the outside of the glass . You need to use white adhesive tape that can withstand rain and sun. Glue strips of tape approximately 10 cm apart vertically on the window glass. This will signal to the bird that this is a glass door and not to fly in. ^{[1] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to source}

You can also use black tape to stick the glass, but the strips should be spaced about 2.5cm apart.
Pet stores sell special tape to prevent birds from hitting windows. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Stick bird decals on the outside of the window glass. Bird stickers can be a quick and easy solution to preventing birds from entering glass. Stick the bird figures very close together with a distance of just one hand. You also need to cover the windows, because just one or two pictures are not enough to scare away the birds. ^{[3] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to Source}

You can find bird decals at bird feeders or pet stores. There are different bird shapes you can choose from, such as a hawk or a robin. Look for decals with colors in the ultraviolet spectrum , as these colors are invisible to the human eye but stand out in the eyes of birds.

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Apply a coat of soap or paint the outside of the window glass. Another way to prevent flying birds from hitting windows is to apply soap on the outside of the glass to create a film that the birds can see. Note that this method requires you to reapply the soap several times a week to maintain the film. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Another option is to use glass paint or tempera paint on the window glass. You can use paint to make an interesting art project with vibrant, striking drawings. Remember to paint over most of the glass so that there are no transparent gaps where birds can fly in.

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Use window film. There are window films that are transparent from the inside but opaque when viewed from the outside. Apply a layer of film that covers the entire outside of the window glass. Most window films have the property of allowing light through, but are still opaque to a bird’s eye. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Some types of window film also have patterns such as lines or shapes that can help prevent birds from entering. Glass films with textures pasted on the windows look both fun and safe for birds.

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Attach window screens. There are many types of door screens on the market that can prevent birds from entering the glass. Find a dark bird-proof net that you can attach to the outside of your windows and adjust the net to fit your windows. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

You can also buy anti-bird nets that hang outside about 5cm from the window. Look for nets made of lightweight, durable ppypropylene.

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Install shutters or outside sunshades. Consider adding exterior shutters if your windows don’t already have one. This way, you can close the shutters when you go out during the day to prevent birds from hitting the glass. Shutters are also a great way to save energy and keep your home warm without having to turn on the heater. ^{[7] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to Source}

You can also install a sunshade or awning to block the sun’s reflection and shade the windows so birds can easily recognize the glass and avoid flying in.

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Switch to UV and patterned glasses. A permanent solution to this problem is to swap out regular window glass for patterned UV glass. This type of glasses has squares that are not clearly visible to the human eye but can be discerned by birds from the outside. This is possibly the most expensive but also the longest lasting solution. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

You can buy this type of glass online or at hardware stores.
If you are planning to install windows in your home, you should install them slightly tilted. Ask the contractor to mount the windows slightly down so that the glass reflects the ground instead of printing images of the sky and trees. Windows mounted in this way will prevent birds from slamming into the glass without blocking the view. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Indoor tuning

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Move the potted houseplant away from the window. If there are many potted plants in the house near the window, move the plants a few meters away from the window. Birds can see the tree through the window and think it is a shelter. They will fly into the window with the intention of perching on a tree branch. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Close curtains and drapes when possible. You should try to keep the curtains closed throughout the day, as this will prevent birds from entering the glass. Curtains will let the bird know that there are windows here. ^{[11] X Research Source}

If using a vertical slat, you should partially or fully close it during the day.

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Turn off the lights in the house when not needed. Turn off all lights in unused rooms so that the house does not emit light. This way the bird will not be attracted to the lights in the house and fly into the window. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Adjusting feeders and other bird supplies

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Place bird feeders and baths no more than 90 cm from a window. It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s actually safer for birds if you place your bird feeder and tub near a window. If these objects are placed too far from the window, the birds will increase their speed if they attempt to fly into the window and will be even more dangerous. ^{[13] X Trusted Source The Cornell Lab of Ornithpogy Go to source}

To minimize the potential for bird death, look for a feeder that attaches directly to the glass.
You can also reduce the risk of birds flying into your windows by placing bird feeders and birdbaths at least 9 meters away from windows. This way, birds will be less likely to notice the window and be less likely to fly into it.

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Hang the wind chime in front of the window. Buy a wind chime that hangs outside above the window. You should look for wind chimes that have shiny objects and sound when the wind blows. ^{[14] X Research Source}

You can also make your own wind chimes by hanging CDs or reflective plastic strips in front of a window. Another option is to hang aluminum cake tins in front of the window to keep birds away.

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Hang the branches in front of the window. If you want a more natural scene, you can hang the branches in front of the window. Use a string to tie a tree branch and hang it in a row in front of the window. This way you can still see the scenery outside through the window, but also prevent the birds from hitting the glass. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Installation of products approved by ornithologists

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Use the Acopian BirdSavers blinds as a simple, easy-to-install solution. Acopian BirdSavers is just a paracord curtain that you can quickly and easily install outside your window to prevent bird collisions. This product consists of a series of evenly spaced vertical ropes that hang in front of the window. ^{[16] X Research Source} You can order BirdSavers in the correct window size and following the installation instructions included.

Acopian BirdSavers are highly effective at repelling birds and are recommended by the American Bird Conservancy based on extensive testing results.
You can buy custom-sized BirdSavers here: https://www.birdsavers.com/.

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Make your own BirdSavers blinds if you like. If you want to make your own BirdSavers blinds, you can easily do it with some dark paracord and some vinyl J-slots. Measure the width of the window frame and cut the J-groove to fit the width of the window. Next, punch as many holes in the J-groove as possible to attach the ropes lengthwise across the width of the window, with a distance of about 10 cm between the wires. Thread the rope through the hole and knot the top so that the ropes hang down to the desired length. ^{[17] X Research Source}

You can attach the J-groove to the frame above the window by screwing or applying emery tape.
If you don’t have a J-slot, try using a piece of PVC pipe or a wooden stick.
You can also use a piece of paracord to make the upper crossbar. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Try Bird Crash Preventers if you want less exposure. Bird Crash Preventers is also a tested and approved product by the American Bird Conservancy. ^{[19] X Research Source} This curtain is made of nylon strips that are very visible to birds but almost invisible to the human eye. You can purchase this product the right size for your window and install it with the included rings and screws.

You can order Bird Crash Preventers here: http://stores.santarosanational.com/.

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Buy Feather Friendly stickers for easy attachment. These patches have been approved by Bird Conservancy of America. They are a series of round white dots that you can stick to a window with a simple grid pattern. ^{[20] X Research Source} You can ask them to install or install this product yourself.

These stickers are designed to stick firmly in all weather conditions without damaging the window glass or the coating material on the glass.
Buy Feather Friendly window stickers here: https://www.conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly/feather-friendly/.

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Use Spyx Bird-Safety Film if you want a decorative product. Spyx Bird-Safety Film is a glass film that comes in a variety of patterns, from simple vertical lines to decorative trellises, even colorful textures inspired by nature. You can order the film and apply it yourself or have it installed. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Spyx Bird-Safety Film products have been tested and approved by Bird Conservation USA.
You can order this product in a variety of designs here: https://www.decorativefilm.com/specialty-bird-safety.

Advice

Light-catching objects or colored glass decorations hanging in front of the window can prevent flying birds from hitting the glass. While not completely preventable, it can help improve the situation. The larger the ornament, the more effective it is.

Warning

Don’t try to scare the bird with a hawk statue near the window. The birds will quickly realize that the hawk is fake and will not be afraid.

Steps