Birds fly into windows for two reasons. First, they see the reflection of the sky and think it is safe. Second, a male sees his own reflection and thinks the bird he sees is a new male trying to enter his territory, so he tries to fight it. Bird window collisions are traumatic for birds and people alike. There's no easy solution to the problem. Bird scare devices do not work. Bird window collisions can be stopped by breaking up the reflection from outside the window. The easiest and least expensive first remedy to try is taping ordinary white paper plates to the outside of glass windows and doors. If the glass is not tinted, attach the plates to the inside of the glass. Plates should be put up in spring and left through summer or used as problems arise, for instance, during breeding season. Other possible ways to break up reflections are screens, bird netting that is sold to keep birds out of ripening fruit crops, or window covers of some sort. The most effective solution would be to install nonreflective glass or windows angled downward to reflect the ground rather than the sky or trees. Also, if you have bird feeders near the house, put them no farther than 3 feet from the window. This way, if birds become startled, they won't be able to gather enough flying speed to cause themselves injury if they collide with the window.

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