Zion National Park develops windows more visible for birds, to avoid the common collision

SPRINGDALE, Utah – For those who have ever heard that terrible thunk on their windows from an overeager bird colliding with the glass, it’s clear that birds don’t see windows the way we do.

That’s why Zion National Park is applying a new treatment to building windows that makes the glass more visible to the birds.

“Birds’ eyes don’t work like ours. Plus they can’t read the structural cues like door frames or decks that we take for granted to watch out for glass,” Adam Reimer, Zion National Park biologist, said. “What they do see is a reflection of their natural habitat in the window. It’s part of our mission to protect birds in the park, and lots of visitors enjoy seeing them. That’s why we’re using a new technology that makes it easier for birds to see glass before they hit it.”

According to the release, the technology takes advantage of birds’ ability to see ultraviolet light by placing small transparent circles on the windows. The small plastic circles are transparent to people, but because they reflect ultraviolet light, the treatment makes windows more visible to birds.

The release states, “Zion began treating windows in 2020, and this work is part of a long-term project to treat all the windows in the park. You can learn more from the US Fish and Wildlife Service about making the glass in your home easier for birds to see, and learn about birds in Zion using our new Feathered Treasures virtual museum exhibit. “