My parent’s home in Hawaii has a huge picture window in the living room that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great asset to the house, but as my dad always says, it’s a pain to clean. And he knows what he is talking about because he’s usually the one stuck with the job of having to clean it after bird, after bird, after bird, slams into it. Growing up, we lost count of how many birds collided into that picture window (and of how many birds my mother nursed back to health as a result). I will say this: the sound of a bird crashing into a large window (luckily it never broke) is one that certainly sticks with you. Which is why I instantly thought of my parent’s picture window when our local Humane Society put out a plea to the public to help keep birds safe.
The WINGS (Wisconsin Night Guardians for Songbirds) association is encouraging homeowners to help prevent bird/window collisions. Even if you don’t live in Wisconsin, you can still take a few simple steps to prevent wild birds from injuring themselves in window accidents. Here’s how:
· Apply window appliqués (we currently have Halloween-themed static-cling ones up) to the outside of problem windows.
· Hang ribbons on a string in front of a large glass window. Make sure the ribbons are colorful and light enough to flutter in the wind.
· Install anti-reflective window film to the outside of the window.
· Close drapes or blinds whenever possible to prevent birds from seeing all the way through a room.
· Lower window awnings. This will help reduce or eliminate reflections on the outside of the window.
· Place birdfeeders more than 30 feet away from windows, or within 3-feet of windows. Bird experts say with feeders 30 or more feet away, birds coming or going to get a bite to eat are less likely to strike your window; with feeders within 3-feet, birds don’t build enough speed leaving the feeder to injure themselves should they strike your window.
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