PAWS Academy: Help Birds See Windows
August 24, 2020
Written by Madi Cook, PAWS Education Intern
The Dangers of Windows
Windows seem harmless to us, but they can be a source of injury and sometimes death for birds because birds see differently than we do! Continue reading to find out what causes windows to be dangerous to birds and what you can do to make windows safe.
Why do Birds Fly into Windows?
Windows are a human-made invention which means that wild animals may not be adapted to avoid them or recognize them as a potential danger. The transparent and reflective nature of windows also explains why birds do not see them and fly directly into them.
Windows will reflect their surroundings, so if they are in a natural setting, birds may mistake the window for the continuation of the forest or park that they were already flying through. They do not see the glass but assume what the glass is reflecting is what is actually there. Reflections can result in birds hitting windows during flight at full speed. Another type of reflection that can cause birds injury is the reflection of themselves. Birds may attack their own reflections to protect their territory, thinking that the reflection is another bird.
The other main way windows can cause harm to birds is when they produce the “tunnel” effect. When windows are placed on opposite sides of a building and line up parallel to each other, they may look like an opening or tunnel to the other side. Birds may see windows in this orientation and think that they can fly directly through the building to the outdoors they see on the other side.
Running into a window, like any hard substance, can cause substantial damage. Imagine flying into a window at high speeds! Injuries that are common in birds that fly into windows include broken bones and beaks as well as severe head and spinal injuries. Some lucky birds may only be temporarily stunned, but this makes them vulnerable to predators while they recover. Other unlucky birds may die from impact or later from injuries.
How to Make Windows Safe
The first step to making the windows on your home safe for birds is to inspect your windows at different times of the day and from different angles to establish which windows may be dangerous. Windows that reflect bushes, trees or sky and windows that can be seen through another window in your house are ones you should make note of. Additionally, include the windows you already know birds fly into on your home.
The second step is making the windows safe! Check out this awesome website by clicking here to find window decals or UV liquid in order to break up the reflection or tunnel the windows may have. If these options do not pique your interest, there are others that can be researched with a trusted adult. For instance, a bar of soap can be used to create stripes or dots on your windows as well.
This Week’s Activities
Visit paws.org/PAWSAcademy and you will find two sets of activities at different difficulty levels along with a word search and coloring sheet all about this week’s topic! Test what you learned about windows and birds by completing this week’s activities.
Continue to Learn with Us!
If you missed last week’s episode on cats or are unaware of our pet series, you can learn more at paws.org/PAWSAcademy. Check back next Wednesday to see the final episode of the PAWS Academy wildlife series on what you should do if you find a wild animal. Thank you for continuing to learn how you can make a difference in animals’ lives!
If you have any questions or suggestions you can reach us at [email protected].