The most cost-effective way to ensure that buildings are bird-friendly is to build them that way in the first place, and to integrate bird-safe measures from the start of the planning process. However, there are also various products and strategies available to retrofit existing buildings.
We highly recommend specifying that projects comply with the Toronto Green Standard Version 3.0 and/or the National Standard of Canada for bird-friendly building design (CSA A460:19). See our Bird-safe design resources for links to additional detailed information.
Following the most recent guidelines and best practices will help ensure that bird-friendly measures are as effective as possible. Don’t waste your money or efforts on techniques that do not meet current standards. Find out here WHAT DOES NOT WORK.
For site-specific assessments and recommendations, contact info@safewings.ca.
Products
As demand for bird-safe design increases, so too do the options for bird-safe products. With proper planning, choosing bird-safe materials can be cost-neutral.
See the American Bird Conservancy’s Bird-Friendly Building Gallery for inspiration, and explore their Products Database to discover more materials and to learn how the Threat Factors (TFs) system indicates the relative ability of materials to reduce collisions.
For smaller areas and retrofits, also consider some of the solutions offered on our small-scale projects page, such as Feather Friendly DIY Tape, Acopian Birdsavers, or vinyl cutouts in a dense pattern, or contact info@safewings.ca for advice.
Acrylite Soundstop BirdGuard
This acrylic plexiglass has embedded polyamide threads for sliver retention and bird protection. Generally used for noise barriers, it is also suitable for use in handrails in outdoor settings.
Aviprotek Bird-Friendly Glass
AviProtek is a Canadian-made bird-friendly glass solution with the acid-etched designs on the number 1 surface of the glass. Etched patterns are located on the outside (first) surface, which provides the greatest chance for birds to identify the glazing surface and avoid collision. AviProtek products are used for guard rails, rain screens or in insulated units.
Blendheim Channel Glass
This modular product deters collisions, is made of up to 60% recycled materials, and features low-emissivity coatings.
CollidEscape
White or coloured (not clear) perforated window film, a.k.a. bus wrap, can be applied as a solid sheet, printed with a design, tinted, or laser-cut into stripes or other shapes for a customized pattern. It appears opaque from the outside in daylight, and like a screen from inside. The standard product is equivalent to a 50% window tint, and blocks heat and UV light while preventing collisions. However, the product will appear transparent at night from outside if the interior is lit, rendering it ineffective against nighttime collisions.
CollidEscape is marketed specifically for bird-collision deterrence, but any perforated film will be effective (but longevity of the product may be less, especially if not laminated). If cutting perforated film into stripes or shapes, please choose a high-contrast colour.
We do not recommend CollidEscape Clear or any other clear perforated film.
Feather Friendly
These external vinyl patterns of dots or stripes, developed by a Canadian company, have proven highly effective on many buildings in the Toronto area and elsewhere. Users have reported significant reductions in collisions. Feather Friendly DIY Tape (see our Small-scale projects page) may be suitable for small applications.
GlasPro Bird Safe Glass
We do not recommend this product.
Goldray Industries Bird Friendly Glass
Goldray’s Bird Friendly Glass features pigmented glass enamel permanently fused to the first surface to reduce glare and provide visual noise. This first-surface ceramic frit is much more effective than a frit pattern applied to an interior surface, and is available in solid colors and patterns.
Goldray claims it has exceptional chemical, UV and weather resistant properties, which enable it to withstand the elements in exterior applications.
Ornilux Mikado Glass
NOT RECOMMENDED! Ornilux’s Mikado bird protection glass, according to their literature, prevents up to 71% of bird/window collisions. However, one study (Klem and Saenger 2013) concluded that the UV signal from Mikado is ineffective in alerting birds to the window hazard, and at least one client reported an increase in collisions following the installation of this glass. We do not recommend this or any other product that relies on UV light to prevent collisions.
Solyx Bird Safety Film
This external film is available in horizontal and vertical stripes and is very effective.
Viracon
Several Viracon products, including Screen 2256 (20% coverage, 1/8” lines) in V901 Dark Gray or V948 Medium Gray, and Screen 5006 (40% coverage, 1/8” dots) in V175 High Opacity White, have low-emissivity coatings and provide solar control and bird collision deterrence.
