What should I do if a bird hits my window?

When a bird hits a window, it is often difficult to tell if it is seriously injured or simply stunned. Many birds will actually recover in a few minutes and fly away, while other more unfortunate birds will break their necks and die instantly. If the bird has not fully recovered within a matter of hours, call your local wildlife rehabilitation clinic and they will be able to provide the necessary medical care. In the Twin Cities area you can call The Raptor Center (612-624-4745) if the bird is an eagle, hawk, owl, falcon, or vulture, or the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (651-486-9453) if the bird is any other species.

References

• Questions and Answers about Backyard Birds, by Jim Williams and Anthony Hertzel in cooperation with the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU). Copyright 2001 Aventure Publications, Inc. Cambridge, Minn.
• Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Web site
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Backyard Bird Problems Web site