Why Birds Hit Windows

Birds hit windows because of the reflections caused by sunlight hitting windows. This causes birds to fly into windows instead of what they think is a tree, sky, or open habitat. By breaking up the reflections with anything following the 2-inch-by-4-inch rule, birds are less likely to strike the window. The 2-by-4 rule refers to the space between horizontal elements at no more than 2 inches apart, and the space between vertical elements at no more than 4 inches apart.

This can be done a few different ways, including:

Applying patterned window films, decals, or tapes

Hanging cord or rope, spaced 4 inches apart, in front of windows – Acopian BirdSavers

Using bird-friendly glass – birdsmartglass.org

Using exterior screens

Placing bird feeders and birdbaths either within 3 feet or beyond 35 feet

small white squares of tape in a pattern on a sliding glass door

window with thin black vertical cords handing down

outside view of a window with barely visible black lines

second outside view of the window with thin black cords hanging down

inside view of sliding glass door with small tape dots

window art with a yellow background and bird images

white line drawing shows from the outside

This can be done a few different ways, including:

Applying patterned window films, decals, or tapes
Hanging cord or rope, spaced 4 inches apart, in front of windows – Acopian BirdSavers
Using bird-friendly glass – birdsmartglass.org
Using exterior screens
Placing bird feeders and birdbaths either within 3 feet or beyond 35 feet