Bump, Thump, and Crash Hazy DayZ Dragonflies Newsletter – May 3, 2024.
No matter what you call them, window bird strikes are no laughing matter.
As birds return from their winter migration, weary from flight, preparing tree nests for new offspring, the last thing they need is a head-on crash into plate glass.
Hazy DayZ Dragonflies has a tested and proven beautiful copper product, hand-made by Sue, to prevent birds in flight before they harm, or worse, kill themselves by our human ingenuity.
That is not what this post is about. This is for those who have not discovered DEXTER Dragonfly and BUTTERCUP Butterfly yet.
I live in a 3rd-floor apartment. Outside my window is a large Maple tree. Light reflects off that window and birds would regularly come to a painful halt trying to navigate further into the tree.. Living here for almost 25 years, I learned, from a source I don’t recall, how to administer to birds who have been knocked cold by my own window.
Birds are generally known for having keen eyesight. They, however, do not comprehend the difference between a shady, protective Maple tree, and a reflection of that same tree.
To date, I have revived 9, hopefully better informed, birds. They ranged from common Sparrows, to 2 Robins, to a cute little Junco. Yes, I have also had to bury 3 poor souls after giving them a chance to live.
Most birds that struck my window were recovered and safe by the time it took me to descend the three flights of stairs, shoebox in hand, to check on them. I did not keep track but my dining room window – in particular – would battle about a dozen birds per summer from 2001 to 2019. Hazy DayZ Dragonflies was founded in 2019.
IMPORTANT: Birds – if only stunned and unconscious – will appear dead where they lie on the ground after smashing into beautifully reflective glass. Their neck will be slack and you could easily confuse it to be broken. Our own necks go slack when we are unconscious too. The bird’s wings may be splayed as well. Please do not ignore your bird because of its ‘dead’ appearance.
Six effectively simple steps to save our feathered friends:
- Collect and store in an easily accessible location: Several sheets of lightly crumpled CLEAN PAPER TOWELS or similar (Bamboo). Tissue paper and Newsprint are too noisy and will startle the already confused bird once it regains consciousness and begins to move. Old rags may have scents that will cause their heart to race as well – especially if your pet feline has been rolling in them; SHOE BOX with LIFT-OFF LID. The more common hinged lid-style box will not work. You will startle the bird while trying to open it.
- When you hear a thump, reach for your prepared box and set it as close to where the bird has fallen as physically possible.
- Prop the unconscious bird in the box, in an UP-RIGHT POSITION, wings tucked to its sides, using the crumpled paper towels as support. If the bird is laid in on its side, it will suffocate as its tiny lungs are unable to support its wing weight and will not allow air in. Up-right, perched-on-a-tree-branch position, is the key to this process being successful.
- Place the lid on the box. LEAVE box where the bird fell. Do not remove to “a more safe location.” The disorientation upon consciousness, will be enough of a struggle for your feather friend. The lid will keep it safe from predators while it recovers. Keep a close eye from a distance but don’t move the box.
- Allow 15 minutes for your bird to regain consciousness. Without lifting the box lid, listen for movement. If you hear movement, quietly from ‘behind’ lift/remove the lid and back away. Your bird is alive but may still take time to recover. Keep a close eye out for predators now. Keep the neighbour’s cat away from the box.
- If you do not hear movement. Keep the lid in place for 15 minutes longer. Typically, if you do not hear movement after 30 minutes total, you may have a deceased bird. HOWEVER, I received a lovely message from a new customer yesterday, May 2, 2024, stating it took 2 hours for a Northern Flicker to shake it off. Four DEXTERs purchased today for her glass, wrap-around balcony railing. The 90° angles are the issue. Birds think they can fly through open space, not noticing the glass.
Thank you for caring enough to finish reading this ‘BIRD CPR’ Newsletter <3