Bird Window Strikes are the #1 cause of mortality Easy, inexpensive DIY solution prevents needless bird deaths
The sound of a bird window strike is horrible. There are many reasons birds fly into windows, but there is a simple, highly effective DIY solution to prevent bird injury or death.
The video below shows why bird window strikes happen and how to prevent them.
The problem:
Birds window strikes, where birds fly into the window glass, is the number one cause of bird mortality in North America. There are a number of reasons birds crash into windows, but many of those birds will not survive. More often though, you might not even realize it has happened because the bird was injured or killed, and a then predator or scavenger dragged the poor bird away.
A bird colliding with our window happened again recently at our house, and I knew something had to be done. Under those circumstances, I began to research ways to prevent these tragedies.
Overall, nothing met my criteria of being aesthetically pleasing, in addition to being reasonably cost effective. Many solutions involve stickers adhered to window glass, but these are visually intrusive and really interfere with our ability to view our wonderful flying friends out our windows. Another solution incorporates replacement glass with anti-reflective properties, but that’s a very expensive remedy.
Birds belong in trees, rather than injured or dead on the ground
Window strikes are preventable
The solution:
Surprisingly, an undeniably effective method was developed decades ago, although I had not heard of it until now. As a matter of fact, it was in the 1980s when the Acopian family of engineers and naturalists invented a method for preventing bird window collisions.
They call them BirdSavers, and are also referred to as “Zen Wind Curtains” due to the calming effect of the cords swaying in the breeze. Importantly, they have not only been scientifically proven effective, but they are great looking too! Win—win for the birds AND us!
It turns out they are super easy to make, but for those that can’t or don’t want to make them, they can be purchased on the BirdSavers.com website.
There’s a great deal of information on the website for making BirdSavers for yourself as a fun and easy DIY project. In fact, they’re perfect for having the kids or grandkids join in! You can also see where BirdSavers have been installed and are saving birds worldwide on their “Where are BirdSavers?” page and interactive map. If you’ve installed BirdSavers (purchased or DIY), you too can have your location added to the constantly growing list!
The video above shows my method for making these BirdSavers out of metal for a long-lasting, elegant solution. The result is, they look great from the inside and outside of the house or commercial building, and they don’t interfere with the view out of the windows.
Prevent needless deaths of our flying friends!
BirdSavers Look Great Inside and Out!
It only cost me $64 to treat seven of my windows, and it only took a couple of hours over a weekend!
Summary of Steps:
- Measure your windows
- Pre-shrink the paracord
- Cut and then drill the metal J-channel
- Cut and subsequently knot the paracord
- String cords into holes in J-channel
- Hang completed unit
- And finally, step back and admire your handiwork! Hopefully you’ll never have to hear another bird hit a window!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission on items bought using them. These are the same recommendations I would make regardless of any compensation. For products that I have older versions of, I recommend the items that I would replace them with if I were buying them new.
Resources for DIY BirdSavers Project
1000 Foot Olive Drab Type III 550 Paracord (Parachute Cord)
From Amazon
I used Olive Drab, but any dark color would look nice against the window. The roll linked here is 3 times longer than what I required for my project but it costs less per foot. I find so many uses for paracord!
Metal Aviation Snips, Straight, Left or Right
From Amazon
Such short cuts are needed that straight or angled work well.
1/2″ Metal J-channel (also called J-trim, J-bead)
From Home Depot
These come in 10 foot lengths
Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint with primer
From Amazon
Choose a color that work for you
Speed Square
From Amazon
Any size will work, but 7″ is a versatile size
Kobalt 24V MAX Brushless 1/2″ Drill/Driver
From Amazon
Drill, charger & battery. If you need a drill, I highly recommend this one!
Ryobi DP103L 10 inch drill press
From Amazon
Option to handheld drill above
For more ways to protect our feathered friends, check out this article: Protect Cavity Nests…Effective Predator Defense
And for feeding backyard birds, see this article showing how to build a Woodpecker Nest Box,
along with this article for a surprising way to keep Squirrels Off The Suet Feeder!
There are more DIY projects in the works, so stay tuned to Uncharted DIY. Feel free to comment, post photos of your BirdSavers or ask questions about this project.
