Polarized film on windows to prevent bird strikes?

AK-Dave · 27th May 2011, 10:13 AM

I have a house with several large windows. I have noticed that many of the bird strikes on the windows seem to be from birds trying to take a shortcut through the corner of my house by flying in one window and out the other. I was wondering if a polarizing film on the windows would prevent this. Basically, you have the windows on the sides of the house be polarized one way (vertical, for example) and the windows on the front of the house polarized the other way. That way, if you were inside, you could still see out the windows, but if you were outside, you could see through one window but not out the other.

Would this work?

-David

Mashuna · 27th May 2011, 10:21 AM

You can get silhouette stickers of hawks to go on windows that are supposed to deter small birds from taking shortcuts, I don't know if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

DC · 27th May 2011, 10:24 AM

ha, sounds like a good idea that might work.

casebro · 27th May 2011, 01:06 PM

Polarized films are pretty neat stuff. Try looking up 'polage' and/or Austine.

Basically, different layers add to make different colors. You could combine the two ideas above, use film on each window, and cutouts of other 'colors', so you won't see the eagle silhouette but the birds will?

But I wonder what happens to depth perception when the layers are widely separated? The birds couldn't see all the way through, but would they see into the room, then a curtain at the far window? Or, see tree dimensions, like the movies? Or, instead of breaking their necks on the glass, they would fly away dizzy with vertigo? Sparrows with migraines?

Earthborn · 27th May 2011, 01:26 PM

It would work if the birds indeed tried to get a shortcut. But in most cases, birds fly against windows because they see their reflection, and assume it is rival they need to attack to protect their territory. A simpler and cheaper solution would then be to cover the windows, or to make sure there is enough light inside that the window doesn't act as a mirror.

The Shrike · 27th May 2011, 01:54 PM

Evaluation here: http://www.sibleyguides.com/2009/06/...rd-collisions/.

More info:

http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/acade.../GlassHome.htm

http://lauraerickson.blogspot.com/se...ndow+mortality

http://birdsmack.wordpress.com/

27th May 2011, 10:13 AM	#1
AK-Dave Muse Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alaska Posts: 576	Polarized film on windows to prevent bird strikes? I have a house with several large windows. I have noticed that many of the bird strikes on the windows seem to be from birds trying to take a shortcut through the corner of my house by flying in one window and out the other. I was wondering if a polarizing film on the windows would prevent this. Basically, you have the windows on the sides of the house be polarized one way (vertical, for example) and the windows on the front of the house polarized the other way. That way, if you were inside, you could still see out the windows, but if you were outside, you could see through one window but not out the other. Would this work? -David
	__________________ All those who fight monsters inevitably become one.

27th May 2011, 10:24 AM	#3
DC dedicated aphilatelist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 21,650	ha, sounds like a good idea that might work.
	__________________ AGW is a fact, including the A, face it

27th May 2011, 01:06 PM	#4
casebro Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,792	Polarized films are pretty neat stuff. Try looking up 'polage' and/or Austine. Basically, different layers add to make different colors. You could combine the two ideas above, use film on each window, and cutouts of other 'colors', so you won't see the eagle silhouette but the birds will? But I wonder what happens to depth perception when the layers are widely separated? The birds couldn't see all the way through, but would they see into the room, then a curtain at the far window? Or, see tree dimensions, like the movies? Or, instead of breaking their necks on the glass, they would fly away dizzy with vertigo? Sparrows with migraines?
casebro Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,792	__________________ Please pardon me for having ideas, not facts. Some have called me cynical, but I don't believe them. It's not how many breaths you take. It's how many times you have been breathless that counts.

27th May 2011, 01:26 PM	#5
Earthborn Terrestrial Intelligence Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Terra Firma Posts: 5,647	It would work if the birds indeed tried to get a shortcut. But in most cases, birds fly against windows because they see their reflection, and assume it is rival they need to attack to protect their territory. A simpler and cheaper solution would then be to cover the windows, or to make sure there is enough light inside that the window doesn't act as a mirror.
	__________________ Perhaps nothing is entirely true; and not even that! Multatuli

27th May 2011, 10:21 AM	#2
Mashuna Ovis ex Machina Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Welsh Wales Posts: 6,579	You can get silhouette stickers of hawks to go on windows that are supposed to deter small birds from taking shortcuts, I don't know if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

27th May 2011, 01:54 PM	#6
The Shrike Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,807	Evaluation here: http://www.sibleyguides.com/2009/06/...rd-collisions/. More info: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/acade.../GlassHome.htm http://lauraerickson.blogspot.com/se...ndow+mortality http://birdsmack.wordpress.com/