Help keep birds from crashing into windows

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It's not uncommon for birds to crash into windows, stunning, injuring or killing themselves in the process.

A window may reflect trees and shrubs, and a bird thinks it’s flying into vegetation. Or a bird may see its own reflection and think it can fly to where the other bird is. Being chased by a predator bird or getting drunk on fermented berries also can lead to crashes.

If you find a bird injured from a crash, pick it up gently using a towel and put it in a well-ventilated box. Put the box in a dark, quiet place. Don’t feed the bird, give it water or handle it further.

You can release the bird if it recovers. If it hasn’t recovered after a few hours, call the

for more instructions.

Here are some ways to reduce hazards:

  • Move houseplants away from windows.
  • Close blinds or curtains.
  • Attach black silhouettes of flying hawks or strips of tape to make the glass visible.
  • Put an owl or raptor statue close to a problem window.

-- Homes & Gardens staff

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