A wild bird hit my window, what should I do?
Wild birds that hit windows must be brought to Le Nichoir for care, even if they seem only stunned. Often these birds have head trauma, or eye injuries. The only exception to this is if the bird is tending to baby birds. If this is the case please speak directly to Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809.
If you find a bird that hit a window, place the bird in a cardboard box with small holes. Keep the box indoors in a safe place away from human voices and other noises, pets, and other risks before you can bring the bird to Le Nichoir. When the bird arrives at the centre it will be provided with a medical examination including an optical examination to look for corneal ulcers.
Why do birds hit my windows?
Wild birds fly into windows for two reasons: either they see a “way through” when two windows line up in their field vision, or they see the reflection of the sky and trees in the glass, and think they can keep going.
Hawk silhouettes, or anything else that takes up only a small portion of a window, is unlikely to work. The rest of the window is still reflective, and many birds are used to flying through tight spaces or evading predators on a dime.
How can I prevent birds from flying in my windows?
Any modifications should be done on the outside surface of the glass, otherwise they may not be seen through the reflection. The latest research say the most effective markers will cover most of the surface of a window, and will be spaced no more than 4 inches apart vertically and 2 inches apart horizontally. There are currently products such as Feather Friendly Collision Tape or WindowAlert decals that can be purchased at La Boutique du Nichoir (https://boutique.lenichoir.org/collections/bird-safety).
The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) is an organization based in Toronto dedicated to the prevention of window strike fatalities in birds. Their website, flap.org, has a wealth of information, and includes the latest studies and recommendations.
Why does a wild bird keep attacking my window?
A wild bird attacking or repeatedly flying into your window is usually reacting to its own reflection. Here’s why: Territorial Behavior: During breeding season (spring to early summer), birds, especially males, become highly territorial. When they see their reflection in the window, they think it’s a rival bird encroaching on their territory, Instinctual Reaction: The bird is trying to chase away what it perceives as a threat to its mate, nest, or territory.
Robins, cardinals, and sparrows are particularly prone to this behavior. They have been found to attack windows but also the mirrors on cars.
How can I stop wild birds from hitting my window?
One way to reduce wild bird window collisions is by reducing the reflection of the window. Use non-reflective materials or visual deterrents to block or distort the reflection.
Examples: Stickers, decals, tape placed on the outside of the window., netting or screens about 2–4 inches from the window, use of soap, white tempera paint, or window markers to draw on the glass. Cover most of the surface, not just a few spots
You can close curtains or blinds: This may help, but since the reflection is on the outside, it’s not always effective alone. Moving indoor lights or objects, especially green plants, away from the problematic window helps as well. Bright indoor lights at night can also attract or confuse wild birds.