Individual glass markers made of vinyl or a similar opaque, weather-resistant material are one of the most effective and yet subtle bird-safe solutions available for existing windows.
While people often worry that making glass safer for birds means blocking their view, a dense pattern of very small dots or thin stripes is remarkably easy to get used to. In fact, because of how the human eye works, we naturally look straight through such patterns without noticing them.
Cutting out and applying markers one by one is time-consuming. Luckily, installation goes quickly using a transfer film or special tape with pre-spaced markers. After the markers are applied, the film or tape is removed, leaving a bird-safe pattern on the outside of the glass.
The best-known of these products is Feather Friendly, a Canadian invention that’s available on 90 cm-wide transfer film for large-scale, professionally installed applications, and on tape for DIY use (see photos below). Smaller, 15 cm-wide rolls of transfer film are best for DIY application on larger surfaces. If applied correctly, all versions have a very long lifespan of up to 20 years, even with window washing.
Feather Friendly is available with white dots to break up reflections, or with black dots that are especially effective in blocking fly-through effects on, for example, glass walkways and handrails. Custom designs and colours are available as well. Please contact me to order Feather Friendly in the Netherlands.
SEEN Elements are a similar product with 9 mm reflective markers spaced more widely apart. They have a black backing which may be more visible when viewed from indoors, compared to Feather Friendly’s white markers.
