Spring migration is upon us again, and with it comes the thrill of seeing warblers, orioles, and thrushes returning or passing through our region. Along with this seasonal excitement comes a tragedy that is impacting bird populations worldwide: window collisions.
Each year in North America, millions of birds are killed by flying into windows. What many people don’t realize is that up to 90% of these collisions happen at residential homes. Birds simply don’t recognize glass as a barrier—they see reflections of the sky, trees, or even feeder setups and try to fly through.
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| Yellow Warbler. Photo by Shayna Hartley. |
Why Birds Hit Windows
Birds' brains are wired for direct flight. When they see a tree reflected in a window or a clear line of sight through a front and back window, they don’t hesitate. Most birds also migrate at night, and in low-visibility weather (cloudy skies, rain, or fog), they tend to fly lower, putting them directly in line with homes and buildings.
Some of our most dazzling spring visitors, like the Yellow Warbler or Baltimore Oriole, are among the most vulnerable.
“We have taken over the earth and the sea and the sky, but with skill and care and knowledge, we can ensure that there is still a place on Earth for birds…”
— Sir David Attenborough
Simple Ways to Protect Birds at Home
Here’s how you can make a real difference—right from your windows:
1. Make Windows Visible to Birds
Window decals and Feather Friendly® markers break up reflections and help birds identify glass as a barrier. At WBU Barrie, we carry a selection of UV-reflective decals that appear nearly invisible to us but shine like a warning sign to birds. Feather Friendly products are also a fantastic long-term option for problematic windows.
Browse Decals + Feather Friendly →
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| Feather Friendly decals. Photo by Kristen Martyn. |
2. Feeders: Placement Matters
Place feeders either less than 3 feet from a window or more than 25 feet away. If they’re close, birds can’t pick up enough speed to injure themselves; if they’re far, they’re less likely to perceive a reflection as a flyway. Window feeders are a safe, up-close viewing option and reduce impact risk.
3. Adjust Your Blinds
Keeping blinds down or partially closed during peak migration times (early morning and dusk) reduces interior reflections that confuse birds.
4. Report Collisions
Help researchers track this problem. If a bird strikes your window, report it to the Global Bird Collision Mapper. You’ll be contributing to important conservation data.
With these small, thoughtful changes, we can keep birds flying safely and help ensure they return again next season. Let’s protect the birds we love.
Happy spring bird watching!
Warmly,
Heather
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