Research indicates that one billion birds die annually in the United States alone due to collisions with glass. Globally, this factor significantly impacts the survival of many species
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that only one percent of bird fatalities occur from collisions with modern glazed skyscrapers. The majority of collisions happen with standard, smaller buildings. Contrary to popular belief, glazed skyscrapers and wind turbine blades are not the primary threats to birds.
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This issue arises because the vast expanse of glass surfaces in construction has only appeared in the last few decades, whereas birds have evolved their instincts in a vastly different environment over hundreds of thousands of years. Birds often collide with glass barriers because they do not perceive them correctly.
Solutions for Bird-Friendly Glass
Birds either do not see the glass and try to fly into the building or see the reflection of the sky or surrounding greenery in the glass, making the barrier invisible to them. Several solutions are available on the market today to reduce or eliminate bird fatalities due to glass collisions:
- Ceramic Fritt Coating:
Applying a special ceramic-based film, known as Ceramic Fritt, makes the glass visible to birds. This layer also blocks some solar radiation, contributing to the building’s insulation. The Ceramic Fritt process involves fusing glass enamel onto the surface of the glass before it is thermally strengthened or tempered.
The ceramic layer is applied through a fine mesh screen, and after tempering, it becomes a permanent coating that cannot be damaged or removed by cleaning.
- UV Markers:
Another method to make large glass surfaces visible to birds is the use of UV markers. These markers render the glass visible to birds without obstructing the clear view for humans, as birds can see UV light in the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans cannot.
Reflective UV threads embedded in the glass resemble a spider’s web and alert birds to the presence of a barrier. However, university studies have shown that birds’ ability to see UV light varies significantly among species.
The UV spectrum is highly visible to species like gulls and parrots but less so for geese, pigeons, crows, and birds of prey. Therefore, the effectiveness of this solution may vary by region.
- Etched Glass:
One of the most effective options is acid-etched glass, where only specific parts of the glass surface are treated with acid to create clearly visible markers. These markers are also visible to the human eye, offering various patterns, textures, lines, or dots.
Treated areas are not transparent but have a milky texture, allowing light to pass through. There are clear guidelines regarding the density of markers needed to make the glass visible to birds, determining the percentage of the glass surface that should be treated versus transparent.
Besides protecting birds, such glass provides architects with an additional form of visual expression and design elements for otherwise monotonous glass surfaces.
Photo: Freepik