For anyone who enjoys watching birds, one of the more distressing things we see is a bird flying into a window, often with devastating effect. We take a look here at some ideas to keep birds from flying into windows of our homes or offices.

One popular misconception is that the birds are attracted to what they see inside the home or office. While this may at times be the case, much more often the attraction is what's outside, and the birds see it reflected in the window. That's why they hit office windows so often, as these are very often heavily tinted, with a highly reflective surface. So the birds simply see the window as an extension of the rest of their world, just more clouds and birds.

Anything you can do to destroy this illusion can be helpful in keeping birds from flying into windows. For the average homeowner, one simple step is to put the screens up for those windows that have them. It's obvious that the screens won't be as reflective, and they will act as a pad in case you still have a misguided bird striking the window.

For windows that aren't as reflective, you may get away with something simple like hanging something light in color, or using drapes with a light colored backing. Of course for that to help you have to keep the shades drawn.

Bird Feeder Location

It may seem obvious, but if you are attracting birds with a window bird feeder, it may be that you can direct much of that bird traffic away by simply moving the bird feeder away from the window. While it may break your heart to move that bird house you built with your kids from a bird house kit, you can move it just a little and keep it in sight. Setting a platform bird feeder on a post several feet away can still be easily seen in the window, but not so hazardous to the birds.

Reflective Window Decals

The big problem here is that many of these solutions that make the window more visible outside the home have the downside of detracting from the view from inside the window. You have this beautiful picture window with a great view outside the home, and you have cluttered it up with decals or pictures.

The commercial solution for keeping birds from flying into windows are reflective bird decals. These decals are visible from outside, but just like tinted windows, they are largely invisible from inside the home. They come in a variety of styles, many are designed to frighten the birds away, such as those shaped like predator birds. Another one looks like a large spider web.

Home Made Solutions

Some people have had success with putting items that distract the birds near the windows. Examples of this include webs of yarn or string, or simple decals put around the window to highlight that it is a solid surface. Even something straightforward like writing with soap or shoe polish on the window can do the trick.