Frosted or decorative window films can be an attractive addition to your windows, while also helping birds to avoid a deadly collision with glass. Wallpaper for Windows is one company which offers an assortment of decorative window films. Look for a design that meets FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for Visual Markers or contact your local signage company. They may be able to do custom designs to create an attractive and bird-safe treatment.

Perforated window film creates an opaque surface on the outside of the glass that looks like a solid barrier to birds. However, the thousands of small perforations in the film let in ample light and permit a view of the outdoors from inside your home. These types of products come in a wide variety of colours and can be custom-printed with images. To keep birds safe, avoid using transparent (‘clear’) products. Although there are many perforated window films available, CollidEscape is one product marketed specifically to stop birds hitting windows.

Decorative or security window grilles on the outside of the window can appear as a barrier for birds to avoid.  For best results, assure that the bars or patterns do not leave gaps greater than 5 cm or 2 inches.

Motorized or permanently fixed solar screens or shades that cover the outside surface of the window are another way to stop birds from flying into windows, while also offering privacy and climate/lighting control. However, they may affect your view and they will only prevent birds from hitting windows when drawn.

Please note that drawing interior curtains or blinds is not an effective option to prevent birds from hitting windows, because it does not address reflections on the outside surface of the glass.

The product Bird Screens is a special window screen that you mount on the outside of your window. The purpose of the screen is to form a flexible barrier between birds and the glass to soften the impact and reduce the chance of injury if a bird does fly towards the window. Regular exterior mounted window screens may also provide some level of protection, but there is still a chance of injury if the screen is mounted too close to the glass or is too taut.

Ribbons or string hung on the outside of the window can be an effective collision deterrent if they are spaced no more than 10 cm (4 inches) apart and run the entire length of the window. Consider spacing the strands even closer at 5 cm (2 inches) to meet FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for Visual Markers. You can order this type of product custom-made for your windows, or you can easily make your own.

You can make your window look like a barrier to birds by applying lines of tape across the outside surface of the window. To be most effective, do not leave any gaps of more than 5 cm (2 inches) between the strips of tape. You can buy special rolls of tape intended specifically for the purpose of stopping birds from hitting windows (but do not use ‘clear’ products).

Feather Friendly DIY tape leaves rows of white dots on your window so birds will understand a barrier is present. When installed according to the instructions, this product can be very effective at preventing window collisions. You can order Feather Friendly DIY Tape online, or purchase at many Wild Birds Unlimited and Lee Valley stores.

Read our how-to guide about how to install Feather Friendly Tape to stop birds hitting windows.

Need help installing Feather Friendly on your home windows? Consider contacting your local window cleaning company or handyperson.

Ceramic frit and acid-etched patterns that meet FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for visual markers can be an attractive and effective option to stop birds from flying into windows. Certain treatments may serve additional purposes of providing privacy or reducing the transmission of light and heat.

Full-coverage opaque and frosted film are potential options to reduce the risk of window collisions, provided the outside surface of the glass is treated. If you are applying frosted patterns to glass, assure they meet FLAP’s Guidelines for visual markers. You must look for an exterior film in order for this to be an effective bird-safe solution. However, you should keep in mind that glass with a frosted exterior surface can be a bit difficult to keep clean.

Muntins are metal or wood dividers in a window that separate panes of glass. Windows can be custom created with closely spaced exterior muntins, but generally these are spaced no closer than 6 x 6 inches. Although 6 x 6 inch spacing does not meet FLAP Canada’s Guidelines for Visual Markers, it may provide better protection than a completely untreated window. To make it most effective, you should still add additional visual markers between the gaps.