The latest test results for WindowAlert's bird-friendly glass solutions are in. The products were evaluated at Foreman’s Branch testing facility during Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, using a tunnel test methodology. This involves flying at least 80 individual birds towards a tunnel containing both a test pane and a control pane, then recording which pane the birds avoid.

WindowAlert tested four different glass samples with varying patterns of UV liquid dots and decals, aimed at deterring bird collisions:

1. Walert 1: 4mm clear glass with 1” UV liquid dots spaced 2” vertically and 4” horizontally. Threat Factor (TF): 41.
2. Walert 2: A combination of UV liquid dots and square decals, resulting in a more varied pattern. TF: 33.
3. Walert 3: Increased density of dots spaced 2” both vertically and horizontally. TF: 17.
4. Walert 4: A mix of dots and square decals, with additional dots filling in the gaps. TF: 17.

ABC Birds considers materials with a TF ≤ 30 as bird-friendly, corresponding to a reduction in collisions by at least 50%. The test results indicate that Walert 3 and 4 are highly effective, while Walert 1 and 2 show moderate deterrent capabilities.

Why it matters: Bird collisions with glass are a significant conservation issue, with millions of fatalities each year. These results help refine building material choices to protect bird populations.

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In September of 2019, the American Bird Conservancy published a compilation of tests for products designed to prevent window strikes. The project was supervised by Christine Sheppard, Ph.D., Director of Glass Collisions Program at American Bird Conservancy.

Wild birds were given a choice of flying down a flight tunnel with clear glass covering the departure point or flying down a flight tunnel with clear glass protected with WindowAlert decals at the departure point. The departure point in both tunnels was protected by a nearly invisible, tiny filament netting. This netting prevented any bird from being injured during the tests.

A video camera recorded flights and computer recorded flight data. Birds tested were resident species netted during migratory season. Nearly all test subjects were migrant passerines.

The WindowAlert decals used for the study were of Classic Square design. Tests were done using the Classic Square as well as the Classic Square cut to 50% of its normal size.

The results of the study were as follows:

1. These tests reveal a high success rate for WindowAlert decals with birds avoiding the decals up to 92% of the time.
2. Full-size decals perform better than half-size decals (78% v 74%) when more openly spaced (4.3 cm v 2.4 cm horizontal).
3. Finally, closer spacing of decals to one another also improves performance (92% v 78% success).

For a copy of the full report, click here: 2019 ABC Study

In the spring of 2015, the American Bird Conservancy completed several studies of WindowAlert decals using flight tunnels and wild birds.  These studied were overseen by a trained statistician and biologist, Glenn Phillips.

Wild birds were given a choice of flying down a flight tunnel with clear glass covering the departure point or flying down a flight tunnel with clear glass protected with WindowAlert decals at the departure point.  The departure point in both tunnels was protected by a nearly invisible, tiny filament netting.  This netting prevented birds from striking glass in either tunnel and so no birds were harmed during the study.

The results of the study were as follows:

      WindowAlert square decals spaced 3.6” x 2” on clear glass with no background: 82% of birds chose flight tunnel without decals.

      WindowAlert square decals spaced 3.6” x 2” on clear glass with dark background: 76% of birds chose flight tunnel without decals.

      WindowAlert square decals spaced 2.5” x 2” on clear glass with no background: 97% of birds chose flight tunnel without decals.

After two painstaking years of chemical engineering, WindowAlert announces the ultimate product--UV Liquid. UV Liquid is designed to fill in the gaps between our decals on windows--providing complete window protection. WindowAlert decals catch the attention of birds. UV Liquid completes the visual barrier.

UV Liquid has the added benefit of being suitable for commercial structures and high-weather structures. The product may be applied quickly to thousands of square feet of glass making it suitable for commercial window washers and landlords interested in protecting large structures.

UV Liquid is easy to apply. Simply use our bingo marker to make dots on window glass. The dots dry to virtually clear, last three months, and are easy to remove.

BEND, OR, Oct. 15/PRNewswire/ -- Wild songbirds will enjoy a safer migration across North America this year with the invention of an ultraviolet-reflective liquid designed to prevent songbirds from striking windows.

WindowAlert, Inc. has developed a new, high-tech liquid that may be applied to windows. The liquid dries to virtually clear and contains a component that both brilliantly reflects and fluoresces ultraviolet sunlight. This ultraviolet light is invisible to humans, but glows brilliantly for birds. WindowAlert UV Liquid may be purchased at over 500 bird hobbyist stores across the country or online at www.WindowAlert.com. It is applied to windows as small dots with a bingo marker.

“UV Liquid allows homeowners to enjoy clear windows while, at the same time, providing a visual barrier for birds,” says company founder, Spencer Schock. “That saves lives.”

Schock believes UV Liquid represents an opportunity for manufacturers of window washing products to improve their environmental record and boost sales through a partnership with WindowAlert. “This industry needs to start thinking, ‘clean and protect,’” says Schock. “Doing so will improve the environment and their bottom line.”

The Wilson Ornithological Society reports that billions of songbirds are killed worldwide each year due to accidental collisions with window glass. According to Schock, one bird fatality per home, per year, in the U.S. represents nearly 100 million fatalities. Many homes and commercial structures suffer multiple strikes in a given year.

WindowAlert technology is helping to stem the loss by exploiting the keen vision of birds. Birds enjoy tetra chromatic vision which allows them to see a broader spectrum of light than humans. Birds also see with great clarity. For example, unlike humans, bird retinas contain no blood vessels. This prevents light scattering and thus provides birds with greater visual acuity than humans.

“Birds fly fast in varying light conditions,” says Schock. “This is a dangerous activity; you might hit something. To meet the demands of flight, birds have evolved such that their eyesight is remarkably keen. Our new UV Liquid takes advantage of this evolutionary characteristic.”

In June of 2009, Dr. Daniel Klem Jr., a Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology at Muhlenberg College, published his landmark study in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology on methods for preventing bird strikes on windows. Dr. Klem is considered by many to be the world's foremost authority on wild bird fatalities. Klem's study was multi-year, rigorous, and scientific in nature. The study involved WindowAlert decals specifically and proved, in conservative terms, the effectiveness of WindowAlert decals. You may read the report here: Report

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) awarded WindowAlert the 2007 National Proggy Award: Best Humane Wildlife Innovation.

BEND, OR, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Wild songbirds will enjoy a safer migration across North America this year with the invention of a new decal designed to prevent songbirds from striking windows.

WindowAlert has developed a static-cling decal that can be applied to windows. The decal contains a component that brilliantly reflects ultraviolet sunlight. This ultraviolet light is invisible to humans, but glows brilliantly for birds. The decals may be purchased at over 500 bird hobbyist stores across the country or online at www.WindowAlert.com.

“Humans don’t notice our decals, but birds are seeing a red stoplight,” says company founder, Spencer Schock. Schock was moved to develop the decals because birds were striking his office windows and dying.

Wyoming-based Western EcoSystems Technology estimates that 98 million birds are killed annually in the U.S. when colliding with windows. This statistic is based on an estimated one bird fatality per house in the U.S.

WindowAlert is helping to stem the loss by exploiting the keen vision of birds. Birds enjoy vision that is far superior to human vision according to Schock, a longtime bird enthusiast.

For example, both humans and birds have photoreceptive cones in the retina located at the back of the eye. These cones allow the eye to process color light. Humans have three cone types that are sensitive to red, green, or blue light; this is called trichromatic color vision. Birds enjoy a fourth cone or tetrachromatic color vision. This fourth cone expands the visible light spectrum for birds allowing them to see ultraviolet light frequencies.

“Birds fly fast in varying light conditions,” says Schock. “This is a dangerous activity; you might hit something. To meet the demands of flight, birds have evolved such that their eyesight is remarkably keen. Our decals take advantage of this evolutionary characteristic.”

WindowAlert was founded in 2003 by Spencer Schock. Prior to founding, Schock had noticed a propensity for birds to strike his office windows during migratory season. After researching bird vision, he embarked on a journey to reduce bird fatalities from window strikes (which number in the billions worldwide, each year). Early failures include coating windows with wax, soap, sunscreen, and more. Schock understood that success would hinge upon satisfying people and protecting birds. Both needs must be weighed equally.

Ultimately, the journey led to a window decal that brilliantly reflects ultraviolet light. Birds can see ultraviolet light, but humans cannot. The decals have a decorative appeal for people while at the same time, alert birds to the presence of windows.

Today the company is committed to the preservation and enhancement of wild bird populations worldwide. WindowAlert has been featured on television, in magazine articles, and in over one thousand newspaper articles nationwide.