Promising new window film may prevent bird collisions

The most recent research by Dr. Daniel Klem, who has been studying the problem of bird/window collisions since the 1990s, has just been published in the June 2009 Wilson Bulletin. It is available, along with lots of other bird/window resources, at his website here.

Klem tested the effectiveness of various window treatments confirming, for example, that single decals on a window are not effective at preventing bird collisions, and that the non-reflective Collidescape film is nearly 100% effective at preventing collisions. Several different UV-absorbing films were tested with small to moderate success.

Beginning in 2007 Klem tested a new film developed in collaboration with Dr. Tony Port, a chemist at CPFilms. This film has vertical strips that reflect UV wavelengths alternating with vertical stripes that absorb UV wavelengths. The UV reflection and the alternating pattern seems to be very effective at deterring birds – only a few birds collided with the windows treated with this film, and none of those collisions were fatal. The real promise of this film lies in the fact that it appears clear to humans, and should be relatively easy to apply to existing windows!

Hopefully the company, CPFilms, can be convinced that there is a market for this window film, and start producing it commercially. I can think of dozens of windows that I would put it on.

Klem, Daniel, Jr. 2009. Preventing Bird-Window Collisions. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121:314 –321

16 thoughts on “Promising new window film may prevent bird collisions”

  1. As one intimately aware of window collision issues, I must say that I was surprised at how promising window films are until you stick a dollar sign on them. Excuses from "you can't take pictures through the glass" to "it's just one or two birds every now and then" pop up all over the place. At least commercial buildings aren't full of birders. Kudos to Dr. Klem for his years of amazing effort, I hope this batch of window film meets expectations!

  2. BlackpollWarbler

    this would be great for the company i work for in Redlands, California. A new building has just been erected, and there is a three story glass atrium that will no doubt be mistaken for a passage by birds.

    the building currently kills many birds, some of which i have watched hit windows, and others i have seen moments after their death.

    i will have to get in touch with the author and figure out the best approach to implementing this.

  3. Blackpoll – are you able to pick up the dead birds? If you can bring them to someone with permits (academic or otherwise), they'd make wonderful study skins.

  4. Thanks for the link, it’s good to see we are beginning to see ‘choices’ in the window-film industry. Some time ago, I discovered FLAP, also linked on the page you reference, and found
    CollidEscape where I was able to get a sample of the film. This sample they offered me was about 18” x 18” (and free); the company was really nice to work with.

    Unfortunately, I found the stuff too dark, I would have felt like my brand new kitchen was suddenly in a cave! And yeah, no photography through the windows anymore. Still, I wanted to do something and discovered that regular, black nylon, bird netting works great. I’ve not had a dead bird since simply hanging the netting on the outside of my windows on tiny nails I put around the window frame. No fuss, no muss….and I swear I cannot see it at all and most of my photos taken out the window don’t either. Sweeeeetttt!

    Still, it is not as elegant as film would be; and I’d be happy to use this new film if I truly couldn’t see it from inside. I like the light!

    Beverly
    http://www.RuralChatter.blogspot.com

  5. We've long had all of our windows covered with birdscreens and a product such as this is SO very needed. I'm a nature photographer, but giving up being able to take images from inside my home was a *very *small price to pay to eliminate birdstrikes.

  6. Perry – most of the window films do not come with the designs already etched, cut or otherwise visible. That is done later, usually for human aesthetics. The gray film would look boring otherwise, but be just as effective (and less expensive, since it wouldn't need to be cut). You could really corner the birder market with the gray stuff, though =)

  7. I go through blog it's really good written. In fact, netting bird is an interesting topic to read. It has a wide knowledge about bird.. In fact, netting bird is an interesting destination i.e. covered by many websites. In fact
    We bought bird netting too, I had a couple of small tomatoes ruined by birdie beaks. Early on there were a couple of nice peppers and a few Juliet (grape) tomatoes – but the hail damaged many plants so might not get any Black Krim tomatoes. I’ve thrown old basil seed around and still had it come up. Don't give up yet;-]

  8. Christine Smith

    I ordered mine from Apex Window films a week ago. Great product and easy to install. I got mine within a week. I am going to order more from them. You may get their toll free # from their website.

  9. This is something new I get to know about window films. I think window films are now a choice of a number of consumers because of its amazing boons. Great for creating privacy, glare reduction, preventing UV rays and much more.

  10. I would love to buy it in a store too… I have an idea though and have already sent out the following letter to companies or organizations who make/sell bird food or bird safe window film:
    Hi, I have an idea to help prevent bird window collisions. There’s lots of bird feeders who aren’t aware of the fact that putting up on hawk decal on the inside to stop birds from hitting windows isn’t enough. However, they all see the packaging on your bird feed. Therefore, I was thinking perhaps during migration season, it would help to add a UV (bird alert) window decal a long with some facts on your package to raise awareness… I’d include info like: how many birds die from window collisions, one decal on the inside of a window doesn’t prevent collisions, most of window must be covered with decals spaced no more than 4 inches vertically by 2 inches horizontally in order to prevent collisions, there’s many solutions or products one can purchase to make their windows bird friendly…Then you can include in 1 or 5 or 1 in 10 bags of bird feed a free window decal, and then on your packaging included with the written facts about bird window collisions to raise awareness “We’ve decided to help you begin making your windows bird safe with a 1 in 10 chance of winning a free uv bird window decal included in this bag. Which I suppose you could have it where each packaging could be opened up or peeled off (like the area with the written facts for collisions could be peeled off to see if you won a free window decal inside) kinda deal. does that make sense? I just want to raise awareness on the issue and figured advertising on bird feed which all bird feeders would see would be a good way for them to be exposed to this issue. Thanks

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