I am literally heartbroken, over the little bird laying on the soil outside my window. Some wouldn’t care, others might not bother, but it makes me cry. So small, so still, it doesn’t look like this one will make it this time…it’s wings are folded close to it’s body, and it has stopped shuddering.
Since last week we have had at least a bird a day hit this window, it’s shocking, worrisome and I feel as if despite all of my efforts to remain a green gardener I am decimating the bird population around my house.
That’s the birds that I know about at least, who knows how many have lain there in shock, all the ones we saw hit the window have flown away, this one I am not so sure of.
A Google search explains that the birds might think our large window is a portal to freedom, a escape from the crows. The startling noise, the bang, the actual force as the bird hits the window is large. I am reading that the bird feeder should either be closer or farther away from the window. I don’t know that it will help, the birds, they still feed near the window, from the plants.
We do have a bird feeder, and have moved it even further away, we love the birds, but I won’t be the one responsible for them dying in my yard.
We will search out those glaring window decals that might save a life, it’s worth it. I can’t stand the bang, the thump, the fall…anymore. I am considering putting painters tape up on the window, or a garden netting something to stop this carnage. I have also heard that a owl or a hawk sticker will work.
If you have any suggestions that work, please let me know.
Heartbroken.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I have those stickers on the window that they used to hit, and it has lessened the bird strikes considerably, but not stopped them completely. It hasn't diminished my ability to watch the birds at the feeder.
ReplyDeleteoh so sad, poor liottle bird, not your fault, we also had this problem where we lived, the side of our house that faced the lake was glass, I hung grape vine wreaths in the windows, suspended, it seemed to help but decals might be a bit classier, lol, oh and I have saw other things that people hang, sometimes we must think out side the box, don't be sad, life goes on.
ReplyDeleteThe stores actually have a sticker you can place on your window that is white that keeps them away. We have the same problem here. I, like you, get very upset with the loss of any wild life ...
ReplyDeleteso enjoy my birds.
Have a great weekend ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
I have the same problem. I posted a photo of little yellow finch still in her winter coat that hit the window the other day. She was quite stunned, but came out of it in a few minutes. I have lace curtains at the window, which apparently the birds can't see. Usually they are just badly stunned and recover. Moving the bird feeder may help some, but I'd use the decals as well.
ReplyDeleteJen, I know your sadness. We stopped feeding our birds in early March when I could no longer take the sadness of one more bird strike and watching a female Cardinal die in CH's hands as her mate sat in the Oak above where she hit. I have those decals on all our windows. I have rope with material on it hanging on our 4 seasons porch windows. We moved the feeders closer to the house, farther from the house. Switched them around so that when they were spooked or sent into sudden flight from hawks the windows wouldn't be in their path. Nothing worked. If we feed birds next winter it will be in our west field under the protection of the Oaks and lots of brush and bush hoping to stay safe from hawks. I think bird strikes are inevitable when they feed near a house and when new birds come from migration and are clueless to windows. We haven't had one strike that I am aware of since we quit feeding. We do feed meal worms in two places twice a day and that is it. I am so sorry about your sadness and being heartbroken but I truly understand it. I will be watching comments here for a better solution in case one comes up. I wish I had a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I had a little finch that hit my glass door when I had one. She escaped from the cage and when she hit the door, she fell and I picked her up thinking the worse. She was ill for a few days and couldn't fly so I kept her food and water where she could reach it. She did get better much to my most pleasant and happy surprise. I hope you can find a way to keep the birds from hitting your window so you won't have to feel so sad.
ReplyDeleteOh I wouldn't be able to handle that either! Poor little things. We have a high-bush cranberry right outside our office window and the bird feeder is right next to the window, between the window and the bush. So the birds land in the bush and then have to pretty much hunt for the feeder. It really does help to have that bush there. I know it's not an immediate remedy, but it's something to consider long-term. Hope you can find something else for the meantime. It's nice to know that other people love the wonderful animals God has created for us to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSame problem in the past with my DR picture window. so I bought a twig flat-backed basket (made for hanging flat) and hung it by thin wire over the outside of the window, and keep seasonal natural items (curly willow, milo stalks, etc) OR silk florals in it. Haven't lost one since. Hope this helps! (It always seemed to be the cuckoo or the cardinal that hit.) Deb
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could try hanging a decorative wind sock or banner in front of the window. The movement would scare the birds from flying into the window. Just a thought. Alma
ReplyDeleteFor us it has something to do with the angle of the sunlight. Terrible noise, like a pistol shot. I lower the reed blinds when the sun shines in. That seems to help. The hawk silhouettes are supposed not to work. The new white ones are better?
ReplyDeleteI have pieces of stained glass hanging in all the downstairs windows..we have a daylight downstairs. I still get a stunned or dead bird once in a while..some birds are just a little bit flying ..ah..challenged..or maybe they are part kamakazi. So it is not your fault:)
ReplyDeleteMy father's solution was a window screen. It cuts down on the reflection and is softer than the glass.
ReplyDeleteStand outside the window to see if you have a "tunnel". If practical, close the inside door to stop the light.
I've heard windowbox plantings will encourage birds to take cover instead of flying into the window. I don't have any experience with that myself, though.
Jen girl .. I understand how you feel .. one of the worst ones for me was a beautiful young Goldfinch .. it hit the glass deck door and no sooner could I get to it .. then it looked up at me and then the light went out of it's eyes .. I just cried and it still makes me feel horrible even to type it out. We love the birds and it doesn't happen often here at all because our feeders are far from the deck as is the birdbath.
ReplyDeleteI guess the decals are the best solution to make them avoid your glass .. I can't imagine some one not feeling something when this happens .. it is gut wrenching for us.
I hope you have a solution as soon as possible ! Good Luck : )
Joy
Is there something with glass or a mirror that you can see looking into the window. This happened alot at my childhood home. There was a china cabinet on the wall facing the window. We thought it caused a sort of reflection.
ReplyDeletey only other suggestion would be to draw a curtain so they can't see though the window.
So sorry....it is an awful sound and it makes you just sick.
Poor birdies...wonder why they are flying into the windows?? Hope you figure it out and save lives in the future. Don´t be too hard on yourself though, this isn´t your fault. Nature isn´t always understandable or fair...but she always renews herself in beautiful ways even after the darkest times...
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel about that little bird, Jen. I have seen it happen and occasionally have been thrilled to discover a bird that seemed dead recover from severe shock and fly away. The window stickers are effective for the most part. It took me a few years of moving the feeder further and further away from the house to give up on it entirely, however. I found the feeder would invariably lead to unwanted and larger animals finding ways to eat the food. It also signaled to bigger birds that there were little birds nesting nearby so they would lie in wait. Oddly enough I have found lots of birds still flitting about without the feeder and there are much less mishaps with the windows. I think in brutal winters, I would provide food but otherwise probably not.
ReplyDeleteI am really feeling your heartbreak, Jen. I can't stand when that happens either. Looks like there are some great suggestions her. Hope one of them works for you.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Laura
It sounds like you have two windows that line up in the house, so the birds think it's a way to get to the other side. If you put curtains or blinds on even one of the windows during the brightest part of the day, it may help deter the poor misguided travelers.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and couldn't handle birdies dying..Maybe a trellis of some sort with pretty vine or cool wrought iron something that they could land on instead of flying into the window. I am sure you will find a solution..
ReplyDelete