By Eilene Lyon
We live in a forested area with many birds – and in a house with lots of windows. Once we started using UV decals, the number of birds striking our home dropped, but did not stop altogether. Every year, some continue to perish this way, which really saddens me, but I really don’t know what more to do.
Fortunately, not all the birds that hit our windows die. Some of them fly away immediately. Others need a little recovery time. I put them in a safe, warm place that they can leave whenever they’re so inclined. The most recent one was a pine siskin.
This fierce, diurnal raptor I’m holding is a Northern Pygmy-owl. It struck one of the windows on two separate occasions. On the first, it landed on the deck and when I went out to check on it, flew to a nearby tree to recover. The second time, it wasn’t quite so swift.
I think it was attracted to the swarms of songbirds at one of our feeders. The feeder isn’t anywhere near a window, so I’m not sure what was going on with this silly bird!
Myricopia 
Awwww poor birdie!
LikeLike
I think s/he lived recovered completely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have exactly the same with more common birds, starling and blackbird, usually the young after fledging so across late spring. It’s quite bizarre behaviour!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We get quite a variety, usually songbirds, sometimes hummingbirds.
LikeLike
Our sunroom windows used to get hit by birds now and then but not so much anymore. It’s like the community of birds has learned about the “glass thing.”
Beautiful owl! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very cool to hold it, but notice those talons in the second photo. Ouch!
LikeLike
Cutie though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite adorable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s beautiful! I hope it has now learned to avoid the window otherwise it might not be third time lucky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t seen it in weeks, so I hope so, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s lovely!! We have the same problem, only it is usally the Cedar Waxwings after they have fed on our neighbours Mountain Ash Berries. Every spring we put sticky notes on our windows! Like you, it reduces the number of hits, but doesn’t completely stop them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, are they drunken sots , then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had dozens of birds hitting a window and tried a lot of different ways to stop them. Hawks, Owls, name it they hit it. I made a screen with 40% shade fabric, it blocks enough for the birds to know there is a barrier, we have not had a single bird crash since.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true that things like screens and mini-blinds can help. Thanks for mentioning it.
LikeLike
Wow! Very cool..but terrible too. Nice work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen (or heard of) a bird like that. Small but, you’re right, the talons look effective. I’m assuming you can hold it here because it’s still “window-stunned?”
Years ago my mom was standing in the kitchen doing dishes, windows to her left. She moved off toward the fridge when a large bird crashed not just into the window, but through it! Double-pane glass, too! That bird bit the dust. We figured it was good mom wasn’t standing any closer or she might have gotten hurt.
It makes me wonder why we don’t find dead birds at the base of all the tall, glass buildings in cities. There are birds there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this bird was still a bit stunned for sure. There are people who do try to count dead birds in cities. Like in rural areas, there are scavengers, though. In cities it’s more animals like domestic cats, rats and raccoons, even some coyotes and foxes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pygmy owl! I’m in love with this little goofball. So cute. So confused. What a sweetie pie. *who, who*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll but the junco it ate for dinner didn’t think the owl was so cute.😉❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! He is adorable, even if he is a fierce predator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’re interested in learning more about birds and windows, check out this website:
https://abcbirds.org/program/glass-collisions/
LikeLike
Poor owl! It seems like it might not be the brightest bulb, but it sure is cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping it does a better job in the future!
LikeLike
I’m going to order some UV decals – we have had far too many bird strikes! Thank you so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for helping the birds!
LikeLike