Why Birds Hit Windows
Birds are intelligent about natural predators and obstacles in their environment, but they do not recognize glass as a solid surface and have no conception that it can be dangerous. Most often, window collisions happen because birds see various reflections in the glass and mistake those reflections for something real. Reflecting branches, for example, can seem like a good place to land, a feeder reflection may seem like a tasty food source, or reflected clouds can look like a clear flight path. Even reflections of other birds can be confusing because it will seem as though the area beyond the glass is safe. When birds are panicked, such as being startled or chased by a hawk or cat, they are even more likely to crash into the glass, even if that glass has been treated or made more visible.
When Window Collisions Happen
While there are many ways to prevent bird window collisions, even the most vigilant birder will occasionally have a bird strike a window. When that happens: Not all birds will recover from window collisions. Internal bleeding or injuries may not be obvious but can be fatal, and if the bird dies, it should be disposed of properly.
What Not to Do
It is natural to want to help every window collision victim, but there are some steps birders should never take, even with the best intentions.
Do not offer food or water to an injured bird.Birds have very specific diets, and an injured bird needs a quiet, calm environment to recover. The bird will happily forage on its own after it is released and does not need any feeding during the brief recovery period. Do not give the bird any medications.Many human medications are toxic to birds. If the bird has an obvious broken limb or severe bleeding, wrap it snuggly in gauze or rags to limit its movement, and get it to a rehabilitator for proper care and avian medication immediately. Do not release the bird indoors. It can be tempting to open a bag or box to check on the bird’s progress, but doing so may accidentally startle the bird into a premature escape. This will cause the bird even more panic and stress when it finds itself in unfamiliar surroundings, and it may injure itself further by colliding with furniture, walls, mirrors, or windows as it tries to get away. Never keep a wild bird as a pet, even if you intend to release it. Keeping a wild bird captive, even for a short time, is a violation of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and similar legislation, and can be punished with fines or jail time. It is never in the bird’s best interests to get it accustomed to humans in any way. Never handle raptors, even small ones.Birds of prey have powerful bills and talons, and mishandling these birds can create long-lasting problems for them to resume hunting in the wild. If a raptor collides with your windows, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or bird rescue organization for guidance.
Preventing Future Window Collisions
The best thing to do when a bird hits a window is to take steps to prevent any more collisions. If one window is a consistent problem, scrutinize it for reflections or other specific threats that may be causing birds’ confusion, and use multiple techniques to keep birds safe. While it is important for birders to know what to do when a bird collides with a window, it is always best if they never need to use that knowledge.
