From Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

A very rare and uncommon owl, which we don’t often admit, was brought to us by State Game Warden Veylupek. This Northern saw-whet owl was found unresponsive after flying into a large window at the finder’s home. It arrived at our facility with a broken right wing due to the impact and some head trauma. We are pleased to report that the wing healed properly and that the head trauma was not severe and has also healed.

The owl has been successfully released back into the area where it was found, within its established territory. It was evident upon release that she recognized her surroundings, as she immediately sought cover.

It is estimated that between 365 million and over 1 billion birds die annually from window collisions in the United States, making this one of the leading causes of human-related bird mortality. Most of these collisions occur at homes and low-rise buildings, where birds mistake reflections for their natural habitat. Recent studies suggest that the death toll may exceed one billion, partly because injured birds may die later from their injuries. So, what can we do to help reduce these collisions?

  • Fatalities: Studies estimate between 365 million and 988 million birds die annually, with some estimates exceeding one billion.

  • Primary Locations: About 56% of deaths occur at buildings 4 to 11 stories tall, while 44% happen at low-rise residences (1-3 stories).

  • Why It Happens: Birds cannot perceive glass, seeing instead reflections of trees, sky, or vegetation. *Mitigation: Solutions include using bird-safe glass, applying UV-patterned decals, using screens, and turning off lights during migration.

(I left this part in just for those of you that haven’t seen the stickers before. As always, I don’t ever ask for money or for you to buy anything.)

We would like to recommend our friends at Feather Friendly Bird Collision Deterrent Markers. They offer commercial-grade, DIY-friendly window tape designed to prevent bird-window collisions by making glass visible to birds with a dot pattern. This product reduces collisions by over 95% without obstructing the view for humans. The markers are applied to the exterior surface of windows, providing a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for both homes and large buildings.