Treat the outside
Exterior treatments interrupt reflections. Cover the whole pane; a single silhouette or decal is not enough.
American Bird Conservancy Back to Resources
Bird-safe planning
Window Collision Risk Estimator
Assess your building and get a tailored plan to make glass safer for birds.
Recommendations follow bird-safe guidance. The priority rating is an educational checklist, not a measured probability of collisions.
Question 1 of 4
Collision prevention priority
Moderate
Any untreated glass can cause collisions. Start with windows reflecting habitat or offering a see-through view.
- sq ft of glass
- 45
- markers at 2 × 2 in spacing
- 1,620
18 columns × 30 rows = 540 markers per pane × 3 panes. No allowance for spares or waste.
Your action plan
- 1Apply exterior dots, tape, or bird-safe film across the entire pane. Keep gaps no more than 2 inches horizontally and vertically; use dots at least 1/4 inch across.
- 2Consider exterior screens or properly spaced cord curtains on priority windows, following the product's installation instructions.
Keep gaps small
Use markers at least 1/4 inch across, no more than 2 inches apart in both directions. Keep edge gaps small too.
BirdSafe / FLAP CanadaCords are another option
Exterior BirdSavers-style cords use a different layout from dot grids. Follow the maker's spacing and mounting instructions.
Acopian BirdSaversMaterials are rough planning estimates, not a purchase quote or professional site survey. Priority weights are CFCN's educational guidance, not a scientifically validated scoring model.