These DIY Home Improvements Will Help Save Birds This Spring

More than a billion birds die in window collisions each year.
A simple DIY solution can help.

For Release: April 16, 205

Ithaca, NY— As millions of people tackle their home projects this spring, a timely new campaign offers effective, budget-friendly ways to prevent one of America’s most widespread yet least-known household hazards: bird deaths from window collisions. 

More than 1 billion birds die annually from striking glass in the United States alone, making it the third-largest human-caused threat to bird populations—and most of these deaths happen at ordinary homes, not skyscrapers. 

“We’re excited to share DIY solutions that anyone can tackle in a weekend,” said Cady Netland, birdsafe coordinator at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Whether kid-friendly painting projects, bird friendly window film, or BirdSavers made with paracord, these projects will help save birds from deadly collisions with windows.” 

With birds returning on their spring migrations, now is an important time to make your windows safer, according to the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance, a coalition of agencies, conservation groups, and industry leaders behind the campaign. 

To prevent birds from dying in window strikes, the key is to make glass more visible to birds and reduce nighttime lighting.

To make glass more visible to birds, always treat the outside of glass. Ensure patterns are spaced 2 inches apart across the entire surface if using paint or window film, or 4 inches apart if hanging up paracord outside the window.

“When you and I see window frames on buildings, we recognize glass is there,” said Netland. “Birds don’t. They see transparent areas and reflections as habitat and try to fly through it, unaware they are about to collide.” 

“The spacing is key because birds will try to fly through small gaps just like they fly through the canopy of a tree,” Netland explained. “Adding patterns on the outside of glass is most effective because decals or curtains on the inside might not break up reflections on the outside,” Netland said. 

Turning out lights can also help prevent needless injuries and deaths of birds from collisions.

“Right now billions of birds are heading north into the United States and Canada after spending the winter in the tropics,” said Adriaan Dokter, a scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who uses radar to detect the number of birds in flight across the continent. “About 80 percent of migratory birds travel at night. Artificial light from below attracts them, disrupting their journeys and drawing them into the danger zone near windows.”

“Many people think that collisions happen mostly at skyscrapers, but actually far more of them happen at homes 1–3 stories high,” Dokter added. 

Researchers have found that 44 percent of deadly window strikes occur at residences 1–3 stories high; 56 percent at lowrises up to 11 stories; and less than 1 percent at highrises with 12 stories or more.

“Turning out nonessential lighting is a simple step that helps keep birds safe, saves energy, and prevents light pollution all at the same time,” Dokter said.

Data from the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report shows birds are declining steeply across the continent. Making glass safer is one step that everyone can take to help save birds. 

“Making your windows safer for birds is a great feeling,” Netland said. “You can enjoy your home knowing that your actions are preventing birds from being injured or killed in window strikes.” 

Top 5 Ways to Make Windows Safer for Birds

• Purchase and install a bird friendly window product such as Feather Friendly Film or Acopian BirdSavers. See list of products tested and rated by the American Bird Conservancy.
• Get creative with a DIY project. Use paint markers or tempera paint with stencils or freeform designs (it’s a fun way to involve kids too!). Or make your own BirdSavers by hanging paracord outside the window, spaced four inches apart. 
• Add exterior window screens–they’ll keep bugs out and help prevent deaths of birds.
• Install external solar shades or blinds to improve home comfort, save energy, and prevent bird collisions
• Help keep skies dark for migrating birds. Turn out nonessential indoor and outdoor lights. Pull down shades at night. Add shields on outdoor lamps to direct lighting downward.

More information

• For proven cost effective solutions to reduce window strikes and a pledge page for everyone joining to take action, visit stopbirdcollisions.org from the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance, a coalition of agencies, conservation groups, and industry leaders committed to making our built environment safer for birds. 
• Check out the BirdCast Migration Dashboard at birdcast.info to see how many birds are migrating over your county tonight. 

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