Mid-Atlantic birds fill our world with beauty and song, so it’s sad to think our homes pose a threat to them. According to the American Bird Conservancy, up to one billion birds die after striking windows in the United States each year. That’s about 5% of the bird population after breeding season. Most of these collisions take place during the day with home windows and low-rise buildings.
Why Do Birds Fly into Windows?
Glass is a desirable building material because it’s reflective and transparent. Unfortunately, birds are not able to perceive plain glass as a barrier. In the daytime, birds may see open sky, trees, vegetation, or bodies of water reflected in the glass. Depending on the position of your windows, they may also perceive an open path of flight though one window of your home and out another.
At night, birds may crash into windows when they’re lured by interior lighting. Many species of nocturnal migrants navigate their routes using the moon, setting sun, and stars. When artificial light shines through windows, these birds get confused and stray from their original paths.
Temporary Barriers
The good news is you can help the local and migratory bird population by addressing your windows with some simple DIY fixes. The key to reducing collisions is making your windows look like barriers by applying dense visual patterns to the outside of the glass.
Start by identifying which windows in your home are the biggest threat. These are usually large picture windows or windows paired at right angles to each other. Options for applying temporary visual deterrents include:
- Tempura paint
- Soap
- Ribbons or string
- Decals
- Decorative, perforated, or privacy window films
- Tape
- Netting
Bird-Safe Glass Replacement Windows
More attractive options to help prevent bird collisions include installing exterior window screens, solar shades, or security grilles. However, Thompson Creek vinyl replacement windows offer a more permanent solution that provides protection for birds while improving your view and energy efficiency.
What Is Bird-Safe Glass?
At Thompson Creek, all replacement windows are manufactured with a high-quality, low-E glaze. While invisible to you, this type of low-emission coating reflects ultraviolet light and glows like a stoplight to birds (thanks to their tetra chromatic vision). Inside the home, these low-E glass replacement windows protect your family, furniture, and flooring from harmful UV rays. Plus, they keep you warm and cozy in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Beautiful by Design
Locally built for the Mid-Atlantic climate, Thompson Creek low-E glass replacement windows are available with an additional wide range of options to create the ideal aesthetic for your home. Enhance your windows with grids in specialty patterns, or choose one of our high-end obscure glasses with a decorative pattern embedded right into the glass surface. Both options add beauty and better protection for our ruby-throated hummingbirds, warblers, and swamp sparrows — a win-win.
At Thompson Creek, smart and caring solutions for the bird population is just one of the ways we show our responsibility to the planet. Whether you’re looking to replace a whole house of windows or just the bird danger zones, our experts can help you select bird-safe glass options that are high-quality, energy-efficient, and a great return on your investment. Request a free consultation from Thompson Creek today.