Do those window decals really work? - Page 2 - Wildlife Gardeners

biigblueyes · 06-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Are you discriminating against big goofy birds? What do you have against a 6' tall fluffy fluorescent yellow bird hanging in your living room?

havalotta · 06-08-2009, 10:44 PM

By a rope?

williamf · 06-09-2009, 06:41 AM

We all but never have birds hit the windows that have screens. I do remember a cardinal hitting one of the dining room windows, but he quickly got back up. I'm thinking he didn't hit hard, and maybe the screen helped cushion the blow.
The only window that doesn't have a screen is the big one by the tub in the bathroom. Since we put Venetians over it they seem to know it's there now, too. They don't block the view much.
I know, picture window over the jettub, what kinda exhibitionist? But really, we have no neighbors, it's on the second floor, there are thick trees right outside. Admittedly, more than a few possums have hurt themselves laughing....
Good luck, WM

amelanchier · 06-09-2009, 06:45 AM

I think that's the problem. We have two big picture windows, one in the front and one in the back. Two of the three kills happened on the picture window in the back.

havalotta · 06-09-2009, 08:02 AM

If two windows line up in the home they think they can fly through the area! Poor things.

Equilibrium · 06-09-2009, 08:46 AM

That sounds like you hit it on the nose. Two windows back to back would create the illusion they can fly through. Have you thought about mini blinds on one of those picture windows?

amelanchier · 06-09-2009, 09:05 AM

The windows actually can't be seen from each other, fortunately. One of them does have curtains that are closed much of the time (and no bird has ever hit that one), but the other one doesn't have any treatments.

joepyeweed · 06-09-2009, 11:51 AM

The decals work but you have to have a bunch of them. The birdstrike prevention list says the decals must cover 80% of the window surface to work.

I've seen very large frosted window clings - like 2' x 4' for sale at flea markets. They have different designs, like flowers, or Santa Claus or sports logos etc.

You can buy full window films that last several years.

There is a nice list of things to prevent window strikes, here:
Preventing Window Strikes

Dirty Knees · 06-09-2009, 11:55 AM

Sialis is one of my favorite websites. I use the film for our picture window and the two windows on either side. We have 0 window hits.

Fireflies · 06-09-2009, 02:36 PM

There are also decals of maple leaves available that do work -- we have four feeders and a bird bath and haven't had a window collision death since we installed them.

Before we installed them we had a glassed sunroom and a bay window built and three birds bit the dust in rapid succession. Horrible!

Here's an example of what they look like to birds:

Maple Leaf Window Alert Decals [WA-1] - $5.95

They are also inexpensive ($6-7 for 4 decals) and I found mine at a local Wild Birds Unlimited.

You can't really see through them, but you wind up ignoring them after a while.

06-08-2009, 10:33 PM	#11
biigblueyes WG Facilitator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cajun Country, Louisiana, USA	Are you discriminating against big goofy birds? What do you have against a 6' tall fluffy fluorescent yellow bird hanging in your living room? __________________ My yarden and I lean a little to the wild side.

06-09-2009, 08:46 AM	#16
Equilibrium Official Plant Nerd Join Date: Dec 2008	That sounds like you hit it on the nose. Two windows back to back would create the illusion they can fly through. Have you thought about mini blinds on one of those picture windows? __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

06-09-2009, 11:55 AM	#19
Dirty Knees Salamander Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Milwaukee	Sialis is one of my favorite websites. I use the film for our picture window and the two windows on either side. We have 0 window hits. __________________ It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. ~ Napoleon Hill

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06-08-2009, 10:44 PM	#12
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	By a rope?

06-09-2009, 06:41 AM	#13
williamf Lungwort Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Carolina, in the Midlands	We all but never have birds hit the windows that have screens. I do remember a cardinal hitting one of the dining room windows, but he quickly got back up. I'm thinking he didn't hit hard, and maybe the screen helped cushion the blow. The only window that doesn't have a screen is the big one by the tub in the bathroom. Since we put Venetians over it they seem to know it's there now, too. They don't block the view much. I know, picture window over the jettub, what kinda exhibitionist? But really, we have no neighbors, it's on the second floor, there are thick trees right outside. Admittedly, more than a few possums have hurt themselves laughing.... Good luck, WM

06-09-2009, 06:45 AM	#14
amelanchier WG Facebook Administrator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lyme, NH	I think that's the problem. We have two big picture windows, one in the front and one in the back. Two of the three kills happened on the picture window in the back.

06-09-2009, 08:02 AM	#15
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	If two windows line up in the home they think they can fly through the area! Poor things.

06-09-2009, 09:05 AM	#17
amelanchier WG Facebook Administrator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lyme, NH	The windows actually can't be seen from each other, fortunately. One of them does have curtains that are closed much of the time (and no bird has ever hit that one), but the other one doesn't have any treatments.

06-09-2009, 11:51 AM	#18
joepyeweed Heron Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Illinois	The decals work but you have to have a bunch of them. The birdstrike prevention list says the decals must cover 80% of the window surface to work. I've seen very large frosted window clings - like 2' x 4' for sale at flea markets. They have different designs, like flowers, or Santa Claus or sports logos etc. You can buy full window films that last several years. There is a nice list of things to prevent window strikes, here: Preventing Window Strikes

06-09-2009, 02:36 PM	#20
Fireflies Carbon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, Maine	There are also decals of maple leaves available that do work -- we have four feeders and a bird bath and haven't had a window collision death since we installed them. Before we installed them we had a glassed sunroom and a bay window built and three birds bit the dust in rapid succession. Horrible! Here's an example of what they look like to birds: Maple Leaf Window Alert Decals [WA-1] - $5.95 They are also inexpensive ($6-7 for 4 decals) and I found mine at a local Wild Birds Unlimited. You can't really see through them, but you wind up ignoring them after a while.