Knowledge base: Sick, injured and dead birds
Why does a bird keep attacking my window?
It is usually fighting its own reflection. The BTO says birds that repeatedly attack windows are generally showing territorial behaviour, and that the fix is to take away the reflection, for example with a non-reflective material such as cling film or non-reflective cellophane on the outside of the glass. Attacks should tail off outside the breeding season.
Ways to stop it
The BTO suggests:
- Remove the reflection. Put a non-reflective material, such as cling film or non-reflective cellophane, on the outside of the window.
- Block the approach. Plants or hanging baskets in front of the window, or objects that move in the wind and light, such as foil strips or old CDs.
- Give it another target. A mirror near the window gives the bird a different reflection to focus on. If several windows are attacked in turn, start with the first in the sequence.
The BTO notes that attacks should decline outside the breeding season, when most species’ territorial behaviour fades.
Pecking at window putty
A different habit, mostly by tits in autumn and winter, is pecking at the putty around a window. The BTO suggests switching to synthetic putty, which lacks the oils that may attract birds, or covering the putty with masking tape.
Collisions are a separate problem
A bird flying into glass is not the same as one attacking its reflection. The RSPB says collisions are common and can be prevented with window stickers. If a bird is hurt, see who should I call about an injured wild bird?
Sources
- BTO: Window strikes, opened 14 November 2026.
- RSPB: If you find an injured bird, opened 14 November 2026.