Birds and glass: A deadly combination

Collisions with glass are one of the leading human causes of bird mortality, killing an estimated 1 billion birds per year in North America alone. Statistics for Europe are scarce, but there is no reason to believe the problem is any less serious here.

Yet this critical sustainability issue is too often underestimated and misunderstood. For example, did you know that a couple of hawk silhouettes do virtually nothing to warn birds about glass? Or that the vast majority of birds that crash into windows don’t survive, even if they are able to fly away?

A significant body of research already exists that helps us understand the role bird-glass collisions are playing in the precipitous decline of many bird species, especially migratory songbirds. Thanks in large part to community science efforts in North America, we know which species are most affected, and why. We know how to identify collision risks in building plans and how to mitigate them using effective deterrence methods such as patterned glass. Also important, we know which methods, such as bird-of-prey decals and UV liquids, do not work well.

By applying the expertise gained through a decade of bird-collision research and practice in Canada, I am striving to raise awareness in the Netherlands. I champion the latest developments in bird-safe design and the most effective retrofit measures to help protect birds.

Anouk Hoedeman
Bird-collision expert