This text is taken from the Courrier de la Planète of October 18, 2022. To subscribe, Click here.
Autumn is a pivotal period for the migration of many bird species. But this season also coincides with an increase in the number of birds that collide with windows, especially those of houses. According to data released Monday by the federal government, no less than 70,000 birds “die every day from a collision in a window” in the country.
“Window collisions are a significant threat to migrating birds. The number of birds that die each year as a result of a collision with a window ranges between 16 and 42 million in Canada, and between 365 and 988 million in the United States. Collisions, although easily preventable, are one of the leading causes of human-caused mortality in birds,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on a new webpage.
If they do not die instantly, the birds can be injured, making them particularly vulnerable to predation. In urban environments, for example, domestic cats are particularly formidable predators for avian fauna.
Why do birds fly into windows? Since glass is not a natural material, they do not understand that reflections from trees or the sky are not real. “Similarly, if they see the sky or indoor plants through the glass, they try to get there and don’t see that there is a transparent barrier in their path. Even dark glass or a dark room window can look like a tunnel or hole where the bird thinks it can fly,” the federal experts explain.
Reduce risk
Artificial light can also disorient them and encourage collisions. This phenomenon is especially true in species that migrate at night guided by the moon and stars.
To reduce risk, ECCC points out that covering a window with “patterns” can make it more visible. “Applying evenly spaced patterns to the glass tells birds there is a barrier to avoid and is the best way to prevent collisions. »
It is also suggested to “turn off the lights and [de] close curtains or blinds when rooms are not in use”. As for feeders, it is recommended that they be placed less than one meter from windows. This way the birds are less likely to hit the glass at high speed and hurt themselves.
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