Every year more than one billion birds collide with glass in the U.S. alone!

According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, "Every year more than one billion birds collide with glass in the U.S. alone! While most fatal collisions happen at homes and buildings shorter than four stories tall, smaller structures like glass walkways and bus stop shelters also pose a threat.

Why do birds collide with glass?

To birds, glass is an invisible, deceiving threat. Since they cannot see glass the way we do, they do not treat it as a barrier to avoid. Instead, they can be attracted closer to the reflections in glass that show what could appear to be elements of their natural habitat, such as plants and open sky. Birds can also collide with windows when they are attracted to landscaping outside the window or lights shining out from the interior. Sadly, while many birds that collide with windows may seem fine at first, most later die from traumatic injuries.

The good news is, these collisions are preventable, and there are many ways we can make our homes and buildings safer for birds! Even better, many of the solutions come with added benefits, such as new aesthetic designs and reduction in energy use and costs!

So, How Can You Help?

• Dress Up Your Windows

• Choose Bird Friendly Glass

• Reduce Lights at Night”

Get the details and a Bird-Friendly Home Toolkit from the USFWS here.