A Feather Friendly Garden
Modifying Garden Architecture to Prevent Bird Collisions
The problem of bird collisions
One billion birds die annually in North America from collisions with glass.
When sky or vegetation is reflected in glass, birds are only able to see the reflected images, rendering the glass invisible. Although windows allow us to enjoy natural light indoors, exterior reflective glass can be deadly to bird populations.
Photo: Hummingbird after colliding with glass windows. Photo by Emma K. Jones.
Bird strike prevention
Bird Strike Prevention Dots greatly reduce the rate of collisions with glass.
The Feather Friendly film provides a visible dotted pattern on the reflective glass which indicates to birds that they shouldn’t fly into the reflected images on the glass.
Photo: Dots being placed on a window courtesy of Feather Friendly®.
Photo: Bird Strike Prevention Dot installation on Orangerie. Photo by Jason Baker.
The research
Research has shown the efficacy of bird strike prevention dots.
According to research conducted by University of Utah professor Barbara Brown, an installation of bird strike prevention dots on a University building has reduced bird strikes by 71%.
Many other institutions, including the National Park Service, have found bird collision prevention products to be similarly effective.
Photo: Male house finch in the Garden. Photo by Shawna McClanahan
The importance of birds
As much as birds need us, we need them.
The variety of birds using the Garden as a source of food, habitat, migratory stopover, and shelter is vast. They play a critical role in the Garden by helping to pollinate plants, disperse seeds, eat insects, rodents, and snakes. So as much as they need us, we also need them.
Photo: Northern Flicker perched on a branch in the Garden. Photo by Glenn Eurick.
What you can do
Learn more about at-home & local bird conservation.
Click here to learn about Feather Friendly.
Click here to learn about “green practices” for bird-safe buildings.
Photo: Broad-tailed hummingbird in flight in the Garden. Photo by Shawna McClanahan.
Thank you
This project was made possible by a grant from the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund.