This is exactly where to hang your bird feeder to prevent window collisions
This expert tip might just preserve a bird's life – here's what you need to know


It's easy to admire birds for their warming tunes and chirpy personalities, but alongside their charm, they are a vital part of the ecosystem. However, these creatures are under threat.
While the placement of a bird feeder may not be at the peak of your garden ideas, its position could prevent a window collision – an increasingly common threat for birds worldwide.
In the US alone, 600 million birds a year die after a collision (253 million of these collisions occur at residential properties). However, you can combat this statistic by adjusting the placement of your bird feeder. Marc Parnell, author of the book series, The Birding Pro's Field Guides, explains what you need to know.
Where to hang your bird feeder – to prevent window collisions
Marc recommends keeping your bird feeder at a distance of 25 feet or more from your window.
'The primary concern with feeders situated in the danger zone (about three to 25 feet away from windows) is that birds can generate enough momentum to make a window strike fatal,' he explains. This distance will give the bird more room to flee from a predator or seek shelter if needed.
How can you collision-proof your garden?
If you're wondering how to plan your garden, so it is an (extra) safe haven for birds, Marc says there is a further way to keep the creatures safe. He recommends purchasing a
UV-reflective decals for your window – to alert birds to the presence of a potential hazard ahead.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
'Unlike humans, birds can observe both visible and ultraviolet light; by fastening an ultraviolet-reflecting decal to a window, humans can alert birds to the presence of this potential hazard without making any serious or time-consuming investment,' Marc says. 'These decals are often available in garden-friendly silhouettes, such as butterflies, flowers, leaves, or even birds.'
Glass Alert Distraction Markers| $23.95 on Amazon
While the Marc-approved silhouettes will add a sense of character to your space, we recommend picking up a minimalist alternative. These Glass Alert Distraction Markers will encourage birds to stay clear of your windows – but you'll hardly notice they're there.
We're reinventing our cottage garden ideas to make our spaces safer for the seasons ahead.

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.
-
Want to make your home look more charming? These 4 Benjamin Moore exterior shades will up your curb appeal
If you're on the prowl for a new shade to try for the outside of your home, Benjamin Moore has unveiled its most 'charming' colors
By Sophia Pouget de St Victor
-
There's a rustic cottage hiding on Wayfair – it may seem unorthodox, but this tiny home taps into a growing nomadic trend (and it's under $16K)
This 'wonderful' wooden farmhouse perfects a growing trend that's changing how we see our homes – it's tiny, but somehow, it doesn't sacrifice comfort
By Megan Slack