Prevent Bird Death by Window Strikes – DIY BirdSavers
The #1 cause of bird mortality is preventable! Easy, inexpensive DIY solution prevents needless bird deaths
The sound of a bird smashing into a window is horrible. There are many reasons this happens, but there is a simple, highly effective DIY solution to prevent bird injury or death.
The video below shows why this happens and how to prevent it.
The problem:
Birds flying into window glass is the number one cause of bird mortality in North America. There are a number of reasons birds crash into windows, and a few of those birds will survive. More often though, you might not even realize it has happened because the bird was injured or killed, and a 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.
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. Others incorporate 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
The solution:
In the 1980s, 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. They have been scientifically proven effective, and they are great looking too!
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. Perfect for having the kids or grandkids join in!
The video above shows my method for making these BirdSavers out of metal for a long-lasting, elegant solution. 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 took a couple of hours over a weekend!
Summary of Steps:
- Measure windows
- Pre-shrink paracord
- Cut and drill metal J-channel
- Cut and knot paracord
- String cords into holes in J-channel
- Hang completed unit
- Hopefully never 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 Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder 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