Laura Erickson's For the Birds

Late summer through early fall is perhaps the worst time of year for bird-window collisions. This is the time of year when the most birds are around in the first place, after the young of the year have been hatched, before migrants leave the continent. And this is also the season when hawks migrate. A surprise attack at a feeder can send backyard birds scattering at top speed. These panicking birds often crash into windows.

If a bird bonks into a window, what should we do? First, never leave any injured bird lying on its back. In this position, many birds go into what seems like a hypnotic state, and they simply can’t balance or right themselves. And never put any wild bird into a cage–the feathers will become frayed against the metal bars, and the bird’s flying ability will be compromised.

The simplest, and usually the wisest, thing to do when dealing with a window strike, is to gently place the bird, right side up, in a small cardboard box lined with paper towels. For most backyard birds, a shoe box is perfect. If it isn’t sitting properly, prop it up on a “donut cushion” fashioned out of tissue. Don’ t offer it any food or water if it’ s in a dazed state.

Place the box in a quiet place. Every 10 or 15 minutes, take the box outdoors, open it, and see if the bird flies off. Never open the box indoors!! And don’t release a diurnal bird after dusk. Wait until morning to check on it. If you must hold the bird in your hand when you go to release it, don’t toss it as this will disorient the bird. Just open your hand and be patient.

But what can we do to prevent window strikes from happening in the first place? First, consider where your feeders are situated. Setting feeders 10 or 20 feet from the window almost guarantees that birds that do fly toward the window will have reached their top speed when they hit, maximizing the danger. A lot of small songbirds can reach maximum velocity within just five or ten feet. Attaching feeders right on the window or its frame helps the birds feeding there to notice the glass. And most birds that take off from so close to the glass will be going way too slow to cause much damage if they do hit the glass.

Covering a window with sun catchers, streamers, or other objects often prevents strikes, but can destroy the whole purpose for having a window in the first place. It’s possible to purchase special screening designed specifically to absorb the shock when a bird flies full-tilt into a window. One company manufactures screens that stand out a few inches from the window, and are designed to absorb the shock when a bird flies full tilt at a window. I’ve not tried or tested them, but if you’d like more information, I made a link to the Bird Screen Company on my new webpage, at www.lauraerickson.com, in the section about what to do in a bird emergency.