What to Do if a Bird Hits Your Window

If you love having birds visit your garden, you might know all about creating a bird-friendly space. But that can also lead to some unexpected issues, especially if your windows are super clear or reflective. Birds can mistake the glass for open space and collide with your house. This is really dangerous for them and can cause injuries or even death. If you want to help a bird that hit your window, you’ll need to act fast and know exactly what to do to keep both you and the bird safe.

Birds fly at lightning speeds, so a sudden crash can really do a number on them. Broken wings or legs are common, and they’re often stunned, dazed, or concussed from the impact. Even minor injuries mean they’ll need some time to recover before flying off again. During that time, they’re at risk of getting attacked by predators or affected by weather. That’s why it’s usually best for people to step in and either protect the bird until it’s ready or call in the pros to provide proper care.

First, take a step back and check on the bird from a distance. See if it’s alive and moving around before you get closer. If it seems stunned, hurt, or unconscious, you’ll need to step in. Grab some gloves and a shoebox, paper bag, or pillowcase – something breathable but dark and secure, without any strings or stuff the bird could get tangled in.

Approach the bird slowly so you don’t scare or stress it. Gently but firmly cover its wings with your hands and place it in the container. Seal it up and move the box to a dark, quiet spot. Try not to handle the bird too much, and leave it alone for a few minutes to an hour. Once it seems awake and active, you can try to release it outside. But if it looks seriously injured or doesn’t recover within a few hours, you’ll need to contact a wildlife rehab center so they can give it proper care.

Unfortunately, some birds don’t survive the window collision. In fact, around half of all birds that hit windows end up dying right away or soon after. If you think the bird might be dead, you can check by gently trying to move its legs. If they’re stiff, its toes are curled, and its eyes are open, it’s probably passed away. If the legs can move, the eyes are closed, and you see shallow breathing, it might still have a chance.

Even if the bird seems gone, you may want to reach out to a local wildlife rehab center. They can provide advice on what to do and might need the info for record-keeping purposes. Some states track bird deaths, including from window strikes, and that data could help prevent future incidents. They can also let you know if the bird was a protected migratory species, which matters for how you handle it.

When it comes to disposing of the bird, if you didn’t see the collision and it could have died from illness, just double-bag the body and toss it. Otherwise, you can bury it in your yard or leave it in a natural spot. Use gloves and wash up well afterward. And if this seems to be a recurring problem around your home, look into ways to make your windows more visible to birds.