How to Stop Birds from Attacking Windows

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Some territorial birds will attack windows during their breeding season. When they see their reflection, they think another bird has entered their breeding ground and will aggressively peck or fly at the window. To prevent or stop birds from attacking your windows, you can reduce the reflection in your window pane, set up precautionary measures to scare birds away, or simply block the landing platform on the window. Keep in mind that you likely need a temporary solution, since most birds will give up after a few weeks once their breeding season is over.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Hiding Windows

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  1. Hanging a medium-weight plastic drop cloth or sheet will remove the reflection from the exterior side of your window will remove the window’s reflection without keeping light out. Purchase a plastic drop cloth and either nail it into the top of your window frame with small nails and a hammer, or use double-sided tape to stick it in place.
    • You can use a plastic shower curtain instead of a drop cloth, but these tend to be a little lighter. If you live in a windier area, it may blow off.
    • This is the most efficient option if you value the natural light coming in through your window.

    Tip: The wavy motion of the drop cloth in the wind will also deter birds from inspecting your window in the event that they catch a glimpse of themselves. Birds tend to distrust unpredictable or abrupt movement.

  2. Stained glass, mosaic, or pattered window film is a great way to reduce reflections while adding a little artistic flourish to a room. Pick up some adhesive window film online or from a craft store. Peel the back off and attach it to the interior side of your window. Smooth the film out with a credit card and cut the excess film off with a razor blade. [1]
    • Clean your window thoroughly with a cleaning solution and let it air dry before installing window film.
    • If you choose a white or translucent window film, birds may still be able to see their reflections.
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  3. To completely remove the possibility that the bird will see their reflection, tape sheets of bright paper or newspaper to the inside of your window. This will distract and obscure the bird’s vision when they look at the window and they’ll be unlikely to catch their reflection. However, it will greatly reduce the amount of light that comes into your room. [2]
    • This is a great option if you live in an area near a lot of other homes. Once the bird stops attacking, it’s a sign that they’ve found somewhere else to go and you can probably take the paper off.
    • This is the best way to deal with attacking birds if you really don’t care about the light coming in through your window.
  4. Install window screens on the exterior of your windows. Window screens are the mesh frames that keep bugs and leaves out of your home when you open the window. They will also keep birds from seeing themselves in the mirror and block them from pecking at it. If you have slots for the screens, purchase screens based on the width of your window and slide them into place. If you don’t have slots, get pre-framed screens that expand and stick inside the bottom of your window frame. [3]
    • If you don’t have slots for window screens on your windows but want them to look good, you’ll need to hire a contractor to install them for you.
    • The pre-framed screens slide out and use tension to keep them in place.
    • In rare cases, birds will look like they’re attacking the mesh. This is usually just a bird trying to collect small items for a nest, though. To stop birds from pecking at window screens, get wire mesh screens that can’t be clipped by a bird’s beak and they’ll simply give up after a few failed attempts.
  5. If you don’t live in a windy area and have a large window sill on the exterior side of your windows, put flowers or plants on the sill. This will block birds from landing on your screen and give them something else to look at when they fly past, which will reduce the odds that they see their reflection in the first place. [4]
    • Some birds will attempt to land on top of the flowers or plants once they see their reflection, but you can simply remove the plants if this happens and use another option.
  6. Get some rope, twine, or string at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in width. Open the top of your window and stick the twine or string in between the frame and the window before closing it to hang it over the exterior side of the glass. Alternatively, you can tape the rope or twine to the sill using heavy-duty tape. This will deter birds from landing on the sill since it will look like they’re moving in the wind and blocking the window. [5]
    • How many lengths of string or twine you use depends on the size of the bird that is attacking your window. For smaller birds, place a length of string once every 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm); for larger birds, put a string once every 4–5 inches (10–13 cm).

    Tip: If you use this option and birds continue to attack your window, inflate some balloons with air. Tie the balloons to the end of the string and let them hang from your window sill.

  7. If birds are attacking your vehicle’s side mirrors, slide a plastic grocery bag over each mirror whenever you park. Wrap a rubber band around each mirror to keep the bag from blowing off into the wind. This will block the mirror from bird attacks and keep them from seeing their reflection.
    • If you have adjustable windows that pivot towards your vehicle to protect them from sideswipes, turning the mirrors inside whenever you park the vehicle can prevent birds from jumping on them.
  8. A car cover is a tarp designed to protect vehicles from weather and dust. Buy a vehicle cover that fits your make and model online or from an auto supply store. Whenever you park your vehicle, slide the cover over your car and pull it down. This will block birds from your vehicle and keep them from landing on it and seeing their reflection.
    • This is basically the only option if birds are seeing their reflection in your vehicle’s paint.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Scaring Birds Away

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  1. Purchase a decoy owl from a home supply store or online. Put the decoy owl on the exterior side of your window sill to scare birds away. Every 2-3 days, move the position of the owl to keep birds from getting comfortable with the statue. [6]
    • This is a pretty simple solution, but it won’t work for some birds that have seen decoy owls before.
  2. Tape some sheets of aluminum foil to the inside of your window. Lay another strip of aluminum foil on your window sill and secure it place by sticking the edge in between your window and the frame at the bottom. The aluminum foil will reflect light back on any birds that come by and scare them from approaching the window. [7]

    Tip: If a bird does happen to land on the window sill, the noise and texture of the aluminum foil will freak the bird out and they’ll fly away.

  3. A flag or windsock will blow and move with the wind. This erratic motion will make birds weary and keep them from approaching your window. Purchase a flag or windsock online or from a flag store. Drill the corresponding bracket for a flag or windsock into the exterior frame of your window and insert the windsock. [8]
    • A windsock is a conical sheet of fabric that catches the wind and lets you know which direction it is blowing.
    • The brackets for windsocks and flags typically come with the item you purchase.
    • This is not a particularly good option if you don’t live in particularly windy area. It’s a great option if you consistently have problems with birds attacking a single window, though.
  4. You can install the shutters yourself or hire a contractor to do it for you. To install them on your own, measure your window and purchase shutters that fit the frame. Install brackets on the inside of your frame and attach the individual shutters with the screws that came with them. During the day, when bird attacks are most likely, shutter you windows to keep birds out.
    • It will cost $300-700 per window if you install the shutters yourself. If you hire a contractor, it will cost $400-1,000 a window. The cost fluctuates based on the type of shutter you choose and how big your window is.
    • Shutters are nice to have if you live in a hot area. They do quite a good job at keeping heat out when they’re closed.
    • If the shutters flap in the wind when they’re open, they will also scare birds away.
  5. Bird feeders attract birds, so hang them away from your windows with plenty of obstructions between the feeder and your home. The movement and sound of wind chimes will deter birds and scare them away, so hang them close to your home. This is a particularly good option if the birds are attacking windows on a porch where there is plenty of room for a wind chime. [9]
    • If the wind chime is really quiet, it may actually attract birds.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why do birds attack windows?
    Roger J. Lederer, PhD
    Ornithologist
    Dr. Roger Lederer is an Ornithologist and the founder of Ornithology.com, an informative website about wild birds. Dr. Lederer has spent over 40 years teaching, studying, and writing about birds. He has traveled to over 100 countries to study birds. Dr. Lederer is an Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico, and has been a Department Chair of Biological Sciences and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences. He has written more than 30 research papers and 10 books on birds and a textbook entitled “Ecology and Field Biology.” Dr. Lederer has consulted the BBC, National Geographic, National Public Radio, ABC News, the Guinness Book of World Records, and numerous other organizations and publications.
    Roger J. Lederer, PhD
    Ornithologist
    Expert Answer
    This behavior is typically a result of birds perceiving reflections in the glass as a continuation of their surroundings, leading to collision attempts during territorial disputes or when defending against perceived threats. The reflective surfaces of windows can be confusing for birds, especially during mating season, causing them to mistake their reflection for that of a rival bird.
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      Tips

      • Birds will typically stop attacking windows once their breeding season has ended. If you can’t keep a bird away from your windows, take solace in the fact that they’re likely to stop after a while.
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      • Crows are particularly notorious for pecking at windows. If a crow won’t leave your window alone, you’ll probably need to remove the reflection entirely by blocking the window out with paper. It may be ugly, but crows are often quite resilient when it comes to attacking reflections. If the problem persists, you can call professionals to catch crows or otherwise deter them from your property.
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      Warnings

      • Decals and stickers will not work unless you cover the majority of the window.
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      • Depending on where you live, birds are likely legally protected. Do not attack, harm, or injure a bird that is attacking your window.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about birds, check out our in-depth interview with Roger J. Lederer, PhD .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/buddies-in-trouble/stop-birds-attacking-windows
      2. ↑ https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/buddies-in-trouble/stop-birds-attacking-windows
      3. ↑ https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/
      4. ↑ https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/buddies-in-trouble/stop-birds-attacking-windows
      5. ↑ https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/buddies-in-trouble/stop-birds-attacking-windows
      6. ↑ https://sciencing.com/owl-work-scare-birds-away-4913851.html
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25971/new-uses-aluminum-foil/
      8. ↑ http://www.startribune.com/how-to-deal-with-downies/468463913/
      9. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-your-windows-bird-safe

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