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Bird Safe Glass: What you Need to Know

An estimated one billion birds die from collisions with glass annually in the United States alone. Simple solutions can greatly reduce the number of collisions. Visual markers such as dots or stripes spaced no more than 2 inches apart are the most effective, while one or two decals of predatory birds are ineffective. Many gift shops offer bird-related items for sale. To help concessioners in parks and visitors support bird conservation at home, this article provides information about items that can effectively reduce bird collisions and support bird conservation.Window glass is a hazard for birds because glass is an invisible barrier they struggle to see. During the day, birds fly towards reflections in glass that look like the sky or plants. At night, lighting can attract migratory birds, increasing their risk of colliding with buildings. Homes and buildings under four stories are a major contributor to this issue. The height reflects vegetation and sky, and the sheer number of windows make them hard to avoid.

Why it Matters

Birds are an important part of healthy ecosystems, and their presence helps people connect to nature and reduces stress. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates there are 96 million bird watchers in the United States. The economic impact of birdwatching and bird watchers’ interests in sustainability is massive. Treating windows and reducing light pollution helps protect biodiversity, benefits people and the economy, and results in energy savings. Reducing bird collisions is also part of the conservation measures the National Park Service must undertake to fulfill the requirements of the Migratory Bird Conservation Executive Order (EO13186) and the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service required in the EO.

Solutions for concessioners and visitors

Bird-friendly actions can prevent window collisions by up to 95%!

Treat windows by day

Placement and spacing of bird deterrent products are critical. Birds can fly through surprisingly small openings. The product lines recommend placing the pattern elements no more than two inches apart on the window. This prevents birds from attempting to fly between the pattern. The Preventing Bird Collisions with Glass: A Solutions Handbook has a wide variety of examples of effective solutions. In addition, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service developed Bird Collision Reduction Toolkits | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for different building types. Help visitors protect birds by selling products that reduce bird collisions and sharing information about how to reduce bird collisions with windows next to bird-related products. Talk with your park management about bird-friendly actions for your facilities.

Dim lights by night

To reduce light pollution, limit lighting to where and when it is needed. Turning off interior lights at night and closing blinds are simple steps that benefit birds and other nocturnal wildlife. Explore the International Dark Sky Association website to learn more about the effects and solutions to night sky pollution.

Getting started

To determine if your facilities are part of the problem, implement a monitoring program. You may hear an unsettling thud, see a dusty imprint of a bird on a window. Even if the bird appears stunned, there is a good chance that it has injuries it won’t recover from. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has resources for Developing a Bird-Glass Collision Monitoring Program. Once you have determined if your windows are a threat, reach out to your park and/or contact the NPS Avian Conservation lead for assistance with projects to reduce bird collisions.