How do I stop birds from hitting our window????

Question

We have Morning Doves crash into our large kitchen window, several times a day. I have tried leaving the blind closed, putting up various window objects on the glass, and nothing works. The glass is reflecting a large tree and feeder in the backyard, it seems at all times of the day. I am tired of having injured, or dead birds. Help!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I probably did not make myself clear, these are wild doves outside that keep hitting my windows which all face west.

Answer 1

Here is an excellent website that addresses the problem of window strikes:
http://www.sialis.org/windowstrikes.htm

"Birds collide with glass for four reasons: either they
can not see the glass at all because it is transparent (especially a problem with two windows or a window and mirror opposite each other, creating a"corridor effect");
see a reflection of the outdoors, and try to fly through what looks like unobstructed open space (the "mirror effect"); or
are attempting to defend their territory from a perceived intruder - their own reflection ("territorial strikes"). Bluebirds, cardinals, and robins typically do this. Territorial window strikes are more common in springtime, but may occur year round. During the fall, male birds often get a second flush of testosterone (called "gonadal recrudescence"); some bluebirds are just "nosey," and will cling to a window screen or will come to the window to beg for mealworms, but do not crash headlong into it.

There are a number of options to prevent birds from striking windows. If the problem is the reflection on the exterior of the window, changes inside won't help. Keeping blinds or shades drawn, or putting up a curtain inside rarely solves the problem, unless you are dealing with the corridor effect. In that case, light colored drapes or partially closed vertical blinds on sliding glass doors when the sun is shining direction on the window may help break up the reflection, or closing or covering the opposite window or moving a mirror may help. Otherwise, choose from the following methods - moving attractants ; dulling/breaking up the reflection, or putting up something that moves or is scary. Also see plexiglass sides on bird feeders.

If you have a large house or lots of large windows/glass doors, you are may have a correspondingly large problem - especially if the bird has already developed the habit of going from window to window. Usually the bird will have a "favorite" window (e.g., facing east); deploy your countermeasures there first."

See website for more suggestions.

Answer 2

You can try several things:
- Remove the bird feeder or move it away from the window
- Put a lot of brightly colored window stickers on the window
- Put a fake owl in front of the outside of the window
- Cover the outside of the window completely for a while so that it will learn the window is gone, and not to fly into it again
- Put up a net about 5 inches from the window so that when it flies towards the window, it hits the net. This may keep the bird from getting severely injured.

These might help?
http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/raptor/education/faqs/flying_into_windows/home.html
http://library.fws.gov/Bird_Publications/prob.html#3a
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ornithology/faqs_qa.php#attack
http://www.birdchick.com/faq.html#faq11


Pigeons (I'm guessing the same goes for doves as well since there isn't a difference but size) are one out of only six species in the world capable of identifying their reflection as themselves instead of another bird or enemy. Because of this, the Mourning Dove isn't trying to attack the reflection, but probably trying to get to the food or trying to escape from a predator. Just thought I'd add that :]

Good luck!
- Becky

Answer 3

All birds see different to what we see, they see heat so it's not that the reflection if of trees and a feeder, it could be because somethings going on in your kitchen which they seem curious about, try and leave the window open but then the birds would fly in, or put something in the way, like plants or even a small tree. (5ft).

Answer 4

Normally birds hit glass when they see their own image on it.They keep hitting mirrors till they die. They might be taking their own image like a rival bird. You may try pasting some paper on the outside of the glass or paint with such paint which may let light come in but does not reflect the birds image..

Answer 5

Hmm..... I would have to say... IF you get Its kinda like a stain glass sticker thing.. and you color it with special things and stick them to your windows... The birds won't wan't to go in the tree...
YOu could pay for a stainglass windowas well.. But my best advice for you is.. to go to my fav sitee
www.xoparrots.com/forums
sign up and ask your question THey give you THE BEST anwsers there are thousands of bird lovers there... Some vets.. IMpretty suer/

Answer 6

Stop using windex!! LOL kidding but I do love that commercial. I heard you put tape on your window cause they cant see whats there, or go to your local hardware store (in canada we have Canadian Tire) and they have a sticker of a bird and you put it on your window and its supposed to stop the birds from flying into it.

Answer 7

You could put a fake owl or 2 outside the window, so they don't fly near it

Answer 8

You could purchase a silouet of a bird of prey in flight and hang it in the window or if you artistic you could draw one yourself.Birds always fear the unknown

Answer 9

Fake Owl Canadian Tire

Answer 10

WELL TRY MOVING THEM PUT THEM OUTSIDE FOR A WHILE THEM THEM ENJOY THE FRESH AIR THEY PROBALLY WANT TO EAT THE LEAVES FROM THE TREE.