Radek Tesár 18. 4. 2025 clock 3 minutes video
Has it ever happened to you that with a loud thud, a bird crashed into your window? You are not alone. Glass surfaces often reflect the sky or greenery and are almost invisible for birds. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to prevent these accidents.
Glazed areas of buildings, be it windows, balcony doors or winter gardens, are often a deadly trap for birds. Birds in reflections see the sky, trees or free space and try to fly through them without realizing that they are looking into an opaque obstacle. High buildings, modern architecture with large glass facades or skylights, but even conventional home windows can be dangerous for birds. A collision with a window often ends with death or serious injury. It is estimated that millions of birds around the world die every year, and this can be easily prevented.
YouTube video on how to prevent bird clashes with windows can be found on the channel Czech Ornithological Society:
Source: YouTube
How to prevent bird clashes with windows
First, notice which windows are the most dangerous for birds. Usually they are large glass, windows on the corner of the building, or those that are next to the feeders. Go out and look at the outside windows. If you see reflection of trees, sky or shrubs, then know that the same birds see the same. They think they fly further into the wild, and yet they are unpleasant surprises. And most importantly, it doesn’t matter how far the feeder is from the window. If it is somewhere nearby, the window is still dangerous for birds.
In order not to hit the glass into the glass, it is necessary to adjust the window from the outside. It is not enough to stick one sticker in the middle, as we can see at public transport stops. The whole window should be marked regularly, ideally every five centimeters. You can use special tapes, stickers, strips, soap or tempera colors. Feel free to even ordinary adhesives or little things. It is important that the marks are sufficiently inflated so that the bird cannot fly between them. The silhouette of a predator is often not enough in itself.
Another option is to cover the outside window. Mets, string curtains or a fine bird net, which is several centimeters in front of the glass, can help. If the bird crashes into it, it will not hurt. Outdoor mosquito nets work well. There are also special foils that are opaque from the outside, but you can see out of the inside. In addition, they reduce the amount of light a bit, so they help overheating the room in the summer.
How to take care of injured birds
And if there is any accident and find under the window of a stunned bird, it is important to act quickly and calmly. Although the bird does not look seriously injured, it may have an internal injury or concussion that deteriorates if it remains without help. Take it carefully in your hands, preferably from behind, with both hands, and hold gently but firmly. Prepare a small box or paper bag lined with paper towels where the bird will be calm. Do not leave it in light, noise or near children or pets. Do not give him water or food and contact a rescue station for wild animals as soon as possible to advise you on what to do.
Each of us can take a small step that will save their lives to these little birds. Just a few stickers for glass, mesh or other window adjustment. Birds are part of our nature, let us protect them, let them stay with us.
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