Why are birds flying into my car window?

Birds flying into windows is a common occurrence that many car owners experience. While it can be alarming to see a bird suddenly hit your window, in most cases it is harmless to both the bird and the car. There are a few main reasons why birds fly into car windows:

Reflections

Windows can reflect the sky, trees, and other features that birds see as open air. From a distance, birds may perceive the reflection as an unobstructed path they can fly through. However, when they get closer, the “path” suddenly disappears as they hit the glass. Many factors can contribute to increased reflections that may attract birds, including:

• Clean windows without decals/stickers
• Parked cars facing open spaces
• Sunny days
• Morning hours when the sun is low

Birds identify pathways and obstacles visually, so a reflective window can appear open to them when it’s actually solid.

Transparent windows

Even without any reflection, birds can have trouble identifying glass as a solid barrier due to its transparent qualities. From their perspective, they may see through your window to perches, food sources, and nesting sites on the other side that they’re trying to reach. They don’t realize the window itself is blocking their path until impact.

Limited field of vision

Unlike humans, birds have monocular vision with limited depth perception straight ahead. Their best vision is on the sides to watch for predators. As they focus forward pursuing a goal, car windows likely enter their direct field of view too late for them to adjust course. The angles and quick approach of a parked car mean birds often don’t see the glass until they crash into it.

Stress and panic

Birds near busy parking lots and roads experience increased stress and may not be paying close attention as vehicles come and go. If a loud car suddenly turns on or a person approaches, the startled bird might hastily try to fly away for safety, leading it to crash in its panic. Nighttime artificiallighting can also disorient birds, causing them to fly toward windows they don’t see.

Do birds get hurt when they hit a car window?

The good news is that in most cases, birds are not seriously injured when they collide with side windows on parked cars. Here are some key reasons why:

• Low force impact – Birds are lightweight and flying horizontally, so their momentum into a stationary window is relatively low force.
• Protection – Feathers and hollow bones provide cushioning against blows.
• Angle of approach – Approaching perpendicular to the window instead of head-on lessens potential injuries.

While stunned and possibly bruised from a car window collision, birds often simply fly away and recover quickly afterwards. However, issues are more likely if:

• The window is struck with significant speed.
• The bird hits corner or body panels instead of flush glass.
• The bird was already weakened from illness or old age.

In these cases, the impact may lead to concussion, knocked out feathers, broken bones, beak/eye injuries, or even death. Care should be taken to assess the bird’s condition after a major crash and call wildlife rehabilitators if needed.

How to prevent birds from hitting your parked car

Here are some tips to make your parked car more visible and reduce window collisions:

Use decals and stickers

Applying decals, stickers, window paint, or clings to the glass interrupts reflections and transparency. This alerts birds to the barrier so they can navigate around it. Place decals on the outside for maximum effectiveness.

Install external screens

External screens allow vision from the inside while blocking reflections on the outside. This physical divider alerts birds to avoid the area while allowing you to see out your window. Screens can roll down when driving and snugly fit the windows when parked.

Close curtains and shades

Drawing curtains or shades over side windows removes interior views that birds might be trying to reach. With less to see inside, they will be less likely to fly toward the glass. Just be sure to open windows again before driving for visibility.

Face away from open spaces

When possible, park your car so the window side is facing buildings, fences, vegetation, or other barriers instead of open expanses. With less open space to reflect and less visibility to interior perches, this reduces a bird’s motivation to fly towards the windows.

Use sun shades

External sun shades block morning sun glare that causes reflections. Pop-up shades that fit over the windows and fold away when driving are very convenient options. You can also make DIY shades.

Turn off exterior lights

If parking at night, avoid turning on nearby exterior lights if not needed. Artificial light attracts birds and insects, increasing the chance of window collisions in the dark.

What to do if a bird hits your parked car window

Stay calm and follow these steps if a bird collides with your stationary car’s window:

1. Pull over if driving. Move to a safe parking spot before assessing the situation.
2. Check for injuries. Look for bleeding, damaged feathers, limping, or the bird lying stunned on the ground. Also check window for cracks.
3. Call for help if severely injured. Use gloves/towel to carefully move the bird to a ventilated box. Call wildlife rehabilitators or animal control to assist.
4. Give space for recovery. If the bird appears unharmed or has only minor injuries, retreat several yards away. Avoid handling or chasing the bird.
5. Clear the area. Gently shoo other birds away from the window area to prevent repeated collisions.
6. Wait and watch. Monitor from a distance as the stunned bird recovers and eventually flies off.
7. Clean streaks/residue. Once recovered, use glass cleaner to remove any leftover smudges or feather oil from the window.

Key considerations

• Injured protected species like eagles and hawks must be reported to authorities. Never handle federally protected birds.
• A bird that doesn’t fly away within 30 minutes likely needs rehabilitation. Capture it gently with a towel and contain it in a ventilated box.
• Never try to move a severely injured bird or give it food/water. Keep it still and quiet until wildlife rehabilitators arrive.

Why is it important to prevent birds from hitting your car?

Here are key reasons to deter window collisions when parking your car:

• Protect birds – Injuries and deaths from window crashes take a major toll on wild bird populations. Any efforts to reduce collisions helps preserve species.
• Avoid damage -Repeated force against windows can weaken glass over time. Cracks require expensive replacement.
• Prevent messes – Litter from broken feathers and residue from oily streaks quickly dirty your car’s exterior.
• Reduce noise – Loud thuds from birds hitting the car can be disturbing if you’re inside or nearby.

Making your windows more visible to birds results in fewer disruptive and potentially harmful crashes. This bird-friendly approach creates a more peaceful environment for both birds and people. A clean car free of streaks, cracks, and noise is an added bonus.

Conclusion

Birds commonly crash into the windows of parked cars when reflections, transparency, or distractions cause them to not see the glass. While most collisions are low impact, it’s important to assess for injuries and give the bird space if stunned. Appropriate use of decals, screens, and curtains can effectively warn birds away and prevent unnecessary crashes. Deterring birds from hitting your car is an easy way to support conservation while keeping your car clean and quiet.