Bird Safety Education
Comprehensive guide for bird collision prevention and rescue
Quick Solutions and Seasonal Actions for Window Collisions
Today
- Close blinds when not actively using windows
- Move feeders within 3 feet or beyond 30 feet
- Remove attractive reflections
- Apply temporary tape or decal markers
- Adjust exterior lighting direction
This Week
- Install window decals (4" spacing)
- Add external screens or netting
- Apply anti-collision window films
- Install motion-sensor lighting
- Create visual barriers with plants
Migration Periods
Spring: March - May
Fall: August - October
- Dim or turn off exterior lighting
- Close blinds at night
- Mark windows with temporary solutions
- Monitor collision-prone areas
- Adjust outdoor activities timing
Pet Owner Guidelines for Bird Protection
Indoor Solutions
- Keep cats strictly indoors - most effective method
- Create engaging indoor play spaces
- Provide window perches for entertainment
- Use interactive toys and climbing structures
- Maintain regular play sessions to reduce hunting drive
Safe Outdoor Access
- Build a "catio" (enclosed outdoor space)
- Train cats to walk on a leash
- Install cat-proof yard fencing
- Create designated outdoor enclosures
- Always supervise outdoor time
- Schedule outdoor time during low bird activity
Safety Equipment
- Use brightly colored breakaway collars
- Install motion-activated deterrents
- Add bells to collars for audio alerts
- Use reflective gear for visibility
- Consider ultrasonic deterrent devices
- Place physical barriers around bird feeders
Bird-Safe Building Design
Guidelines provided by the Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, and Bird Alliance of Oregon
Glass Treatments
- Patterned Glass: Use glass with visible patterns or UV coatings that birds can see but are subtle to humans (e.g., Ornilux glass).
- Fritted Glass: Implement ceramic frit patterns on glass surfaces to deter bird collisions.
- Window Films and Decals: Apply films or decals that create visible patterns on existing windows.
Building Orientation and Siting
- Minimize Reflections: Position buildings and windows to reduce reflective surfaces that confuse birds.
- Proper Placement: Avoid placing glass surfaces in locations where they reflect green spaces or sky, as these are more attractive to birds.
- Vegetation Management: Place trees and shrubs at a safe distance from windows to prevent reflections that may lure birds into collisions.
Exterior Features
- Screens and Sunshades: Install external screens, louvers, or sunshades to minimize window reflections and transparency.
- Green Roofs and Walls: Use green roofs and vertical gardens to provide bird habitats and reduce reflective surfaces.
Lighting Strategies
- Reduce Nighttime Lighting: Turn off unnecessary lights at night to prevent disorienting migrating birds.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Use motion sensors to reduce the duration and intensity of external lighting.
- Shielded Lighting: Install lighting fixtures that direct light downwards and prevent upward and outward light spill.
Community and Policy Initiatives
- Local Ordinances: Advocate for bird-safe building codes and policies in your area.
- Community Involvement: Encourage community participation in bird conservation efforts, such as installing bird-friendly materials and practices.
- Education and Awareness: Promote awareness about bird-window collisions and the importance of bird-friendly building designs.
Maintenance and Monitoring
- Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of buildings to identify and address problem areas that may cause bird collisions.
- Record Keeping: Keep records of bird collisions to identify patterns and make necessary adjustments to building design.
- Retrofitting: Retrofit existing buildings with bird-friendly materials and designs as needed.
Implementation Guide
Cost-Effective Solutions
- Temporary Solutions
- Window markers ($5-15 per window)
- Decorative window films ($20-30 per window)
- Exterior screens ($30-50 per window)
- Permanent Solutions
- UV coating applications ($40-60 per window)
- Retrofit fritting ($75-100 per window)
- Replacement with bird-safe glass (varies by size)
Implementation Timeline
- Immediate Actions (1-2 days)
- Apply temporary markers
- Adjust lighting schedules
- Relocate feeders and plants
- Short-Term (1-2 weeks)
- Install external screens
- Apply window films
- Set up motion sensors
- Long-Term (1-3 months)
- Professional UV coating
- Glass replacement
- Structural modifications
Emergency Response Protocols
Important Safety Guidelines:
- Do not attempt to feed or give water
- Do not attempt to treat injuries
- Keep handling to absolute minimum
- Wash hands thoroughly after contact
- Always contact a wildlife rehabilitator for professional care
- Have gloves, clean cloth/towel, and cardboard box ready
Emergency protocols provided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservancy, and National Audubon Society
1
Initial Assessment
- Observe the bird's condition from a short distance first
- Check for obvious injuries or bleeding
- Watch for breathing and movement
- Keep pets and children away from the area
2
Approach with Care
- Move slowly and calmly to avoid causing further stress
- Keep handling to absolute minimum
3
Secure the Bird
- Use clean gloves or a soft cloth to handle the bird
- Hold gently but firmly, keeping wings close to body
- Place in a well-ventilated cardboard box with a secure lid
- Line the box with a soft cloth or paper towels
- Make air holes if needed, but not where the bird can reach them
4
Provide Safe Environment
- Keep the box in a warm, quiet, dark place
- Maintain temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
- Avoid direct sunlight or drafts
- Minimize noise and disturbance
- Do not attempt to feed or give water
5
Monitor and Assess
- Check breathing - look for chest movement
- Note any visible injuries or bleeding
- Watch for signs of improvement or deterioration
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for guidance
6
Contact Professional Help
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately
- Keep the bird contained and quiet while waiting
- Be prepared to describe the incident and bird's condition
- Follow the rehabilitator's instructions exactly
7
Transport Safely
- Keep the box secure and level during transport
- Minimize movement and noise
- Maintain temperature control
- Drive carefully to avoid sudden movements
URGENT: Cat Attack Victims Need Immediate Professional Care
Cat attacks require immediate professional care, even if no visible wounds are present. Cat saliva contains bacteria that can be fatal to birds within 24-48 hours without antibiotic treatment. If possible, note the time of the attack to the best of your ability.
1
Initial Assessment
- Observe the bird's condition from a short distance first
- Check for obvious injuries or bleeding
- Watch for breathing and movement
- Keep pets and children away from the area
2
Approach with Care
- Move slowly and calmly to avoid causing further stress
- Keep handling to absolute minimum
3
Secure the Bird
- Use clean gloves or a soft cloth to handle the bird
- Hold gently but firmly, keeping wings close to body
- Place in a well-ventilated cardboard box with a secure lid
- Line the box with a soft cloth or paper towels
- Make air holes if needed, but not where the bird can reach them
4
Provide Safe Environment
- Keep the box in a warm, quiet, dark place
- Maintain temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
- Avoid direct sunlight or drafts
- Minimize noise and disturbance
- Do not attempt to feed or give water
5
Monitor and Assess
- Check breathing - look for chest movement
- Note any visible injuries or bleeding
- Watch for signs of improvement or deterioration
- Do not wait - seek immediate professional care
6
Contact Professional Help
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately
- Keep the bird contained and quiet while waiting
- Be prepared to describe the incident and bird's condition
- Mention specifically that it was a cat attack
7
Transport Safely
- Keep the box secure and level during transport
- Minimize movement and noise
- Maintain temperature control
- Drive carefully to avoid sudden movements
Local Wildlife Rehabilitators
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center
Wildlife Center of Virginia
Wildlife Rescue League
Tidewater Wildlife Rescue
Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge
5281 Deer Path Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437
Wildlife Response Inc.
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke
Second Chance Wildlife Center
Phoenix Wildlife Center
Frisky's Wildlife & Primate Sanctuary
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research
Owl Moon Raptor Center
City Wildlife
Interactive Resources
Bird's Eye View: Avoiding Bird Window Collisions - Muhlenberg College
Synopsis: Professor Daniel Klem's decades-long research on bird-window collisions aims to reduce or eliminate hundreds of millions of bird deaths annually. The video explores practical solutions including stickers, strings, and films to make windows more visible to birds, while emphasizing bird-safe building practices.
Duration: 4:30
Source: Muhlenberg College
Cats Kill Billions Of Birds Every Year. It's Time For That To Stop - Animalogic
Synopsis: This comprehensive exploration examines how domestic and feral cats impact bird populations. Despite being beloved pets, cats become highly effective predators when outdoors, resulting in billions of bird deaths annually.
Duration: 20:52
Source: Animalogic
OSU Research | Bird Collisions: Feather-Friendly Window Treatment - Oklahoma State University
Synopsis: Research at OSU demonstrates the effectiveness of feather-friendly window treatments, showing a 64% reduction in bird collisions by applying small white dots to windows. The study showcases practical conservation techniques for protecting bird populations.
Duration: 2:59
Source: Oklahoma State University
Audubon Society Chapters
Research Institutions
Federal Legislation
Maryland Legislation
Washington D.C. Legislation
Virginia Legislation