William Meiggs

Mrs. Glass
Biology
Sept. 8, 2016

A Summary of
Birds and Glass Dont Mix!

Hundreds of millions of birds die from glass collisions each year in the United States
alone. Almost every home kills a few birds every year, there are so many homes that account for
almost half of the total bird deaths caused by collisions with glass. (Sheppard, 10) Birds collide
with glass because they cant see the clue that there is a window. Unfortunately a birds first
encounter with glass is often fatal.
Their eyes are on the sides of their skull. Birds also can be attracted by light. Bird feeders
near windows create scenarios for birds to fly into them. Something that people can do to prevent
this is by putting in screens in the windows, and install smaller panes, or put a pattern on your
windows. On the other hand, birds arent necessarily always looking where theyre going.
(Sheppard 11)
Sheppard said she worked in the Bird Department at the Bronx Zoo, and they would
smear glass exhibits with a soap paste before introducing new birds. (10) With a little motivation
on our part, we can endure the song they sing, while we enjoy their presence.

Works Cited:

Sheppard, Dr. Christine. Birds and Glass Dont Mix (and what you can do about it). New
York State Conservationist April 2016; 10-14. Web. (Sheppard). 09 Sept. 2016.