Up to one one billion birds die each year in the United States when they hit glass windows, walls, and other structures, making this threat one of the most costly to bird populations.
But it's also a relatively easy problem to solve. We've made it even easier by evaluating and rounding up a list of products shown to reduce collisions on glass. Please have a look at the options below for homeowners and architects.
We present these products in two categories: (1) Those that have been tunnel tested by ABC and received a score of 70 or higher. These products are denoted with ABC's ‘Saves Birds' logo. (2) “Also Recommended” products that were tested using other, peer-reviewed protocols that we deem sufficient, or which have been shown by experienced monitors to demonstrate a significant reduction in collisions. Learn more about ABC's ratings.
Looking for more do-it-yourself home solutions? Check out our Bird-friendly Windows Flyer. Have more questions? Check our our comprehensive FAQ post.
(Note: No window product, including ABC-tested products, can guarantee elimination of window collisions. Results will vary depending on local bird populations, landscape conditions, product used, and building design. In addition, ratings assume that patterns are applied to the outside surface of glass, or that surface reflections do not obscure the pattern.)
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HOMEOWNER PRODUCTS
Acopian BirdSavers – |
Bird Crash Preventer – |
Evonik Soundstop Birdguard – |
Feather Friendly® DIY – |
Solyx® Bird-Safety Film – |
ALSO RECOMMENDED
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Want to live a bird-friendly life? Try these six simple steps!
ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS
Bird-friendly design should not increase project costs if it is considered from the outset of the design process, as outlined in Bird-friendly Building Design.
Legislation and guidelines in over a dozen jurisdictions, with more pending, mandate or encourage bird-friendly design, and the materials listed here satisfy their requirements. They can also assist designs intended to earn the USGBC LEED™ Pilot Credit 55: Bird Collision Deterrence.
Acopian Birdsavers – |
Arnold Glas: Ornilux Mikado – |
Bendheim Channel Glass – |
Evonik Soundstop BirdGuard – |
Ferro Dot Pattern – |
GlasPro Bird Safe Glass – |
Guardian Glass SunGuard SN68 – |
Solyx® Bird-Safety Film – |
Viracon – Fritted Glass – |
Walker Glass' Aviprotek® – |
ALSO RECOMMENDED
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Want to see your product listed here? Contact Dr. Chris Sheppard at csheppard@abcbirds.org
ABOUT OUR RATINGS
ABC tests glass products and other deterrents by safely and carefully flying birds through a tunnel, where they are presented with a clear glass pane in one “lane” and the tested product in another. The number of birds that fly to escape the tunnel towards the clear glass provides a score for avoidance of the deterrent. Light netting is placed in front of the glass to prevent injury to the birds, and they are released after one flight.
Visual deterrents or patterns, such as those tested by ABC, can break up reflections and reduce related bird strikes such as those caused by reflected vegetation. However, ABC's tunnel testing is not specifically designed to rate products on their ability to reduce bird mortality caused by reflections. It is designed primarily to test how well visible patterns function to deter birds flying towards glass.
Field applicability will also vary by installation: Relative effectiveness is governed by variable external factors, such as proximity of vegetation, orientation towards the sun, bird feeders, and proximity to other buildings. Realistically, these cannot be measured in statistically reliable tests that would provide broadly applicable results.
Donate to support ABC's conservation mission! Support our glass collisions program by noting 'collisions' in the designation box.
