Windows and Window Wells

Windows

photo: (c) USFWS - Innoko NWR

It is not uncommon for birds to injure or kill themselves by flying into windows. Often times they are seeing a reflection of the outdoors in the window and do not realize that they are flying into a solid object. During the spring it's common to see birds "attacking" windows. They are really defending their territory from the "other" bird that they are seeing. To solve this problem you must deter birds from your windows. Turn lights on or close your blinds and curtains to eliminate reflections. Place bird feeders farther away from windows. Stick hawk decals to your window to potentially deter birds from approaching: download and print an illustration of a hawk. Cut out a few copies and place the decals on your windows. If a bird does strike your window place it in a box with air holes for several hours. Occasionally open the box to allow the bird to fly out, if it doesn't it is possibly still in shock and needs a few more hours in the box to recover. Attempt to release the bird again and if it still fails to fly out call a wildlife rehabilitator or care center.

Window Wells

Very few animals, reptiles and amphibians will establish a permanent home in a window well. Most do not want to be in there and have entered into the window well by mistake or accident. If you find an animal, reptile or amphibian in your window well, chances are it would like to leave, but can't. Assist it by lowering a rough-surfaced board tacked with burlap or carpet scraps into the window well at an angle. Nocturnal animals will climb out after dark. Install window well covers to avoid such problems.

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