Spotlight on Bird Strike Awareness: Safeguard Purple Martins This May

Each spring, as temperatures rise and daylight lengthens, billions of birds embark on epic journeys north to establish nesting territories. For many species. including the esteemed Purple Martin, our windows stand in the way.

Birds hitting windows is not just a common backyard mishap; it's a leading cause of bird mortality. In fact, bird-window collisions kill an estimated 1 billion birds annually in North America, making window strikes a pressing conservation concern. 

This May, we're putting a special focus on raising awareness of bird window strikes. We chose to highlight Purple Martins, who are uniquely vulnerable during this season. Discover how you can keep them and all your backyard visitors safe.

Why Purple Martins Are at Risk

• Aerial Acrobatics: Purple Martins ( Progne subis ) are North America’s largest swallows, famous for swooping low over lawns to catch aerial insects. The high-speed and acrobatic flight of these swallows makes them susceptible to window strikes.
  
• Mating Season: Mating season encourages high-speed flight in pursuit of insects, mates, and in defense of nesting areas. Full-throttle flight again puts Purple Martins at risk of window strikes.
  
• Social Nesting Habits: Starting in early May, colony-oriented birds arrive at cavity nesting sites. Many return or are drawn to nesting gourds or houses provided by humans. Proximity to buildings and residences puts all birds at greater risk of window strikes.

Understanding the Problem

Glass reflects sky, vegetation, and bright interiors. This creates an optical illusion where birds mistake physical structures for safe flight paths. Purple Martins with their balletic flight in pursuit of insects, mates, and in defense of nests are always at risk.

Prevention Strategies: Steps to Take Now

1. Refresh or Increase Decal Coverage
   
   • Why it Helps: Decals break up reflective surfaces, signaling to birds that a barrier exists.
   • How to Do It: Space decals 2–4 inches apart over high-risk panes; consider denser patterns near feeders and bird habitats.
2. Optimize Feeder & Habitat Placements
   • Why it Helps: Keeping feeders and gourds either very close (≤3 ft) or far away (≥30 ft) from windows prevents high-velocity collisions.
   • How to Do It: Use poles or hangers to adjust distances, ensuring Purple Martins can approach their nesting gourds safely.
3. Install Physical Barriers & Screens
   • Why it Helps: External screens or netting interrupt flight paths without obstructing your view.
   • How to Do It: Mount lightweight mesh a few inches from the glass; verify that Purple Martins can still enter and exit their gourds without entanglement.
4. Maintain & Monitor Window Treatments
   • Why it Helps: UV coatings and static-cling films can lose effectiveness over time.
   • How to Do It: Regularly clean your windows and replace any decals or films that show signs of wear or fading.

Little-Known Purple Martin Facts

Waxy Berry Diet: Unlike most swallows, they won’t eat berries. But did you know that they’ll tolerate small insects hiding in bud clusters? This helps them feed even when aerial insects are not available.

Colony Visitors: Purple Martins often scout multiple potential colony sites in a single season, returning to the most successful location, so making your yard safe can earn you repeat visits year after year.

Cultural Significance: Native Americans revered Purple Martins for their insect-control prowess, and in some regions, they still consider martins a harbinger of summer.

This May, join us in raising awareness of bird window strikes, and commit to protecting our most spectacular aerial acrobats of spring. By combining WindowAlert’s proven decal systems with thoughtful feeder and gourd placement, you can transform your backyard into a safe haven for Purple Martins and hundreds of other migrating species.