The first wave of spring migrants has already arrived.

Across North America, birds are beginning their long journey nort. Traveling thousands of miles to reach breeding grounds. Early arrivals like tree swallows, eastern phoebes, and ruby-crowned kinglets are already moving through many regions, and they’re just the beginning.

Within weeks, migration will intensify dramatically. Over 30 species of Warblers, along with orioles, tanagers, and hummingbirds will follow. At peak migration, millions of birds move through residential areas, navigating unfamiliar environments filled with one of their most dangerous obstacles: glass.

What’s Migrating Through Your Area

A Flash of Red: The Western Tanager

If you see a bird that looks almost unreal with a bright yellow body, jet-black wings, and a vivid red head, you’ve likely spotted a Western Tanager.

They tend to stay high in the canopy, moving quietly through treetops as they continue north. You may only catch a glimpse before they disappear again.

That fleeting behavior is part of what makes them vulnerable. During migration, tanagers are navigating unfamiliar environments at speed. When they encounter reflective glass, especially windows mirroring trees or sky—they don’t recognize it as a barrier.

They see continuation.

If tanagers are showing up in your area, migration is already well underway.

Small, Fast, and Easy to Miss: Ruby-crowned Kinglets

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are tiny, restless, and constantly in motion. Most of the time, you won’t even see the “ruby crown” they’re named for, it only flashes briefly when the bird is excited or agitated.

What you will notice is how they move: quick, darting, and unpredictable. They hover, flick between branches, and often forage close to windows where insects gather.

That combination makes glass especially dangerous. In reflections of nearby vegetation, there’s no clear distinction between what’s real and what’s not.

Because they’re so small, collisions often go unnoticed—but they are common.

Seeing kinglets is often one of the earliest signs that migration activity is building.

Spring Migration Protection Kit

If you’re starting to notice birds like tanagers or kinglets moving through your area, migration is already underway, and this is the best time to act before activity peaks.

Our Spring Migration Protection Kit is designed to make that step simple. It includes high-visibility Performance Series decals, a UV flashlight to verify reflectivity over time, and a placement guide based on recommended spacing.

The goal isn’t just coverage, it’s creating a visible pattern birds can recognize as a barrier, especially on the windows most likely to cause collisions.

View the Spring Migration Protection Kit →

Available for a limited time during migration season.