Bird-Friendly Design Ideas for Your Home

August 19, 2017

Many people don’t understand how important birds are for our eco-systems. They are responsible for keep our bug and insect populations in check, and they are food for larger animals that are equally important to the eco-system as a whole. At Half Price Drapes, we’ve learned about some simple steps that can be taken to help make your home bird friendly.

Plain glass is the enemy of birds

The biggest thing you can do is to ensure that you don’t have any windows that are completely bare. Birds can’t tell where glass is and are likely to dive bomb right into it. Ideally they’ll just be physically stunned for a moment. Though being stunned does make them more susceptible to predators, it’s better than the alternative – which is death.

Cover your windows with curtains

Of course, one of the easiest ways to ensure that you don’t have wide open glass is to install window coverings. This doesn’t mean you have to have dark draperies drawn closed all day. Choose some sheer curtains that let in plenty of light but still make it clear to the birds that there’s a window there. You can also add a Roman shade that you simply close during the brightest parts of the day – which are the times of day birds are more likely to think your window is wide open.

Choose an opaque glass

If you’re moving into a new home and replacing the windows, or replacing the windows in your own home, then you can choose a glass that’s opaque. Obviously this isn’t a solution for large windows you want to enjoy a view from, but it may be an option for larger patio doors that don’t offer much of a view, or windows in the kitchen. Opaque glass also adds some privacy, which can be a bonus for many rooms of the house.

Don’t leave lights on at night

Many people have a light in their living room that they leave on all night long. The problem with this is not just that you’re wasting electricity, but that you could be drawing birds to your home. Some nocturnal birds see this constant, never-moving light as a beacon light that draws them closer. If you want to avoid waking up in the middle of the night when yet another bird hits your window, we recommend turning that light off at night or ensure your curtains keep the light inside.

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