Northern Flicker in oxygen at Wild Care after window strike - PHOTO by Kerry Reid.

This bird fortunately recovered and was later released. One of the lucky ones.

WHY DO BIRDS STRIKE WINDOWS?

• Birds strike windows when they see trees and adjacent landscapes reflected in the glass. Birds do not easily interpret windows as impenetrable until the reflection is removed or reduced.

• Young birds suffer window strikes when learning new unfamiliar landscapes.

• Migratory birds become disoriented by outdoor lighting, causing them to circle buildings, structures and windows, often striking them.



• Inclement weather that forces migratory birds to temporarily halt their journey and land in new locations, poses a major window strike risk.

SIMPLE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT BIRDS:

• Reduce window reflection by placing UV decals or opaque decals in your windows. Must cover the window and be placed within 4 inches apart. Decals sold by WindowAlert and at the Bird Watcher's General Store in Orleans.

• Eliminate outdoor lighting which can disorient migratory birds.

• Turn off unnecessary indoor/outdoor lighting between the hours of 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM nightly.

• Draw vertical lines on your windows with a glass-writing pen. Must be less than 4 inches apart. Stripes/irregular patterns should be 1/8th wide and visible.

• Spray soapy water, or place UV liquid on your windows to break the reflection. (UV Liquid sold at WindowAlert.)

• You can also use tape, ribbons, or tempera paint on the outside of your windows (>4 inches apart), or keep your shades down to reduce reflection.

• Place bird feeding stations within 15 feet of your home or dwelling to reduce strike impact.

MORE RESOURCES ON OUR "SAVE BIRDS FROM WINDOWS" PAGE

Call our Wildlife Helpline: 508-240-2255

Studies have shown that birds often suffer from injuries related to window strikes and symptoms may be delayed, or not seen by the naked eye. For this reason, we recommend that all window strike birds are brought to a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator for assessment, instead of releasing the bird as soon as it becomes alert.



Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator in MA

ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES: The photo above is a Northern Parula, This beautiful bird is a long-distance migrant warbler that winters in Mexico and is designated as a "Threatened" species in the state of MA. This bird arrived at Wild Care in May, 2022 during a migratory "fallout". A fallout is usually related to severe weather patterns that force birds to land before reaching their final destination. Birds then fuel up, and are on their way when the weather clears. Unfortunately, light pollution during a fallout can quickly become disorienting to migratory birds. Birds may circle a lighted building to the point of exhaustion, and also strike buildings, structures and windows that might be in their path when they descend. This particular fallout was MASSIVE. The number of warblers seen on the Outer Cape within 24 hours was unprecedented and we received over a dozen window strikes in 24 hours. This little Parula was in terrible condition. Miraculously, with fluids, oxygen and rest, the bird recovered quickly and was released.

To see some great examples of window decals, and cords, visit

Mass Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Santuary Discovery Center in Cummaquid

Print and Share This Helpful Wild Care Guide

to Help Prevent Bird Window Strikes

Be Prepared With Creative Projects for Kids and Classrooms

If you’d like a creative and educational project for kids or in the classroom, try making Wildlife Rescue Boxes and Kindness Socks. Fill and decorate socks with rice and decorate with inspirational messages to be used to sooth and warm rescued animals. Decorate Rescue Boxes with stickers and markers, make holes for air, then keep paper towels, gloves, goggles, and rice sock inside. Be sure to write our clinic phone number on the box so you have it handy. If you find an injured, ill or orphaned animal place the animal in the box in a quiet place until you can bring it to Wild Care for help.

Kindness Socks

Animal Rescue Box