If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you’ve perhaps unfortunately experienced the heart-sinking moment you hear a thud of a bird hitting a window.
Surprisingly, these collisions are not just a city issue; they happen regularly in our neighborhoods, and they’re devastating for local bird populations.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, nearly one billion birds across the U.S. die annually from window strikes, with many incidents occurring right here in our own backyards.
Fortunately, Duncraft, a long-time Concord-based company specializing in bird-friendly products, offers practical solutions to help local residents protect our feathered visitors.
Why Birds Hit Windows
Birds see reflections of trees, sky, or plants on glass windows and mistakenly perceive them as open areas where they can fly. Even interior plants near windows can attract birds attempting to reach what appears to be a lush habitat. Sadly, most window collisions result in fatal injuries, even if the bird initially flies away.
Effective Local Solutions Available at Duncraft
- Window Decals and UV Stickers:
Duncraft’s Bird-Safe® decals are a popular and simple solution. These translucent stickers create patterns visible to birds, breaking up reflections that cause confusion.
Particularly effective are UV-reflective decals, which appear nearly invisible to humans but glow brightly to birds. Products like Duncraft’s Leaf Medley WindowAlert Decals provide subtle, attractive window protection while safeguarding local wildlife.
- Physical Barriers: Screens and Netting:
Another highly effective strategy offered by Duncraft is the use of exterior window screens or specialized bird netting. Screens soften impacts, giving birds a chance to safely bounce away. Netting placed a few inches from windows creates a trampoline-like barrier, gently preventing collisions.
Duncraft provides convenient kits suitable for various window sizes, ensuring protection tailored specifically for homes.
- Smart Feeder Placement:
The location of your bird feeder significantly impacts bird safety. Duncraft emphasizes the “3 or 30” rule: place feeders either very close (within 3 feet) to your window or far away (more than 30 feet).
This reduces high-speed collisions from birds startled off feeders. Duncraft also offers specialized window feeders designed for safe, controlled landing, like the Duncraft Songbird One-Way Mirror Feeder, enhancing your birdwatching experience without increased collision risk.
- Innovative Window Films:
For persistent trouble spots, Duncraft suggests products like CollidEscape films, transparent from inside but opaque from outside, effectively preventing bird collisions. These films also offer added benefits like reducing glare and moderating indoor temperature.
Commitment to Bird Conservation in Concord
Beyond providing these bird-safe products, Duncraft actively educates customers on effective application methods, ensuring maximum safety and aesthetic appeal. With straightforward guides included with every product, residents can effortlessly transform their homes into safe havens for birds.
Implementing these simple solutions can drastically reduce bird strikes, ensuring our yards remain vibrant with the sights and sounds of healthy local bird populations. By making small changes, Concord residents can play a vital role in protecting the birds that enrich our community.
