jwalk

I’m writing to ask your thoughts on using ultraviolet products to prevent birds from striking the windows at my house. I live in Houston, Texas and several times a year birds crash into the 20 feet of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto my backyard. The windows are south-facing and shaded by a 10’ x 24’ covered patio, so no direct sunlight hits the windows. The birds that hit the windows are usualy the non-typical birds in the area, such as warblers, hummers and even a nighthawk. They fly in under the covered patio and smack right into the windows. Usually they’re stunned and recover, but sometimes they die from the impact. I do not have blinds or curtains on these windows.

I’ve read about using ultraviolet decals to keep birds from striking windows, but it would be very expensive to cover such a large area with these decals. I’m wondering though if other ultraviolet products might work, for example, ultraviolet dyes, sprays and markers that could be applied to the windows. The dyes are used for things like water leak detection and the sprays and markers are used for property identification in the case of theft. The manufacturers of these products claim that they’re invisible to people unless exposed to electric UV lights.

Please let me know any thoughts or opinions you might have about this idea.

Thank You

audreyhtx1

Here is something that has worked well for us:

http://www.birdwindowcollisions.info/WindowDecals/

These aren't ultraviolet. They are actually quite attractive and don't impair the view. You put them on the inside, and they are held by electrostatic force (no glue or anything sticky). You space them out to create a pattern, so it shouldn't take too many.

Since you have a covered patio there also might be some things you can hang from the patio that would slow birds down enough to let them see the window in time.

More tips from Audubon: http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/SafeWindows.html

Audrey

CyberCelt

Isn't that awful when they do that?

If there is somewhere on the outside close to the window where you can hang a fake owl, that might do it.

Are y'all going to the IFest in Houston next month. Reggae music in downtown. Sounds like a blast.

Best of luck.

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CyberCelt

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