Window Strike!

This shadowy image is what was left on my window after an unknown bird hit a window while fleeing a hawk.  I saw the hawk leave the area after I heard the strike, but this time, the intended prey escaped his attack.

Mourning Doves often leave very powdery marks on a window they come in contact with, and the size was about right for a dove.  I was fascinated how the body, face, left eye, and left wing are all clearly evident. 

Unfortunately, even when birds fly off from a window strike, they sometimes die from the internal injuries they sustained.

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Barbara, thanks for your nice comment!
Daniel, thanks for helping those stunned birds out until they recover enough to fly off.
Donna, in fall there are migrating and inexperienced birds coming through our yards that I think contribute to window strikes during this season. The angle of the sun also changes and could change the reflections or the windows impacted.
Kara, try that window tape that American Bird Conservancy endorses to see if that works better than decals. Hopefully no one is seeing your antics!!

[kara]

I have some bird decals on my top windows but they still hit my lower windows... Sunny days are the worst.
PS. When I see a hawk in my trees, I run out waving my arms. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy.
; )

[Donna M. Simonetti]

That eye print is freaky. I have a dove print on my window right now. I try very hard to prevent the stikes, but they still occur. Sad. They happen more so in the fall & winter. ????

[Daniel LaFrance]

It is sad to witness. After a window strike we often find them in varying degrees of consciousness (stunned). For some the impact is too great and they pass.

We provide a safe place for those who need time to recover and are ready to fly again.

[Barbara]

Have had tons of hawks around lately and as a result more window strikes than I would like - most survive, cause it's usually a glancing blow - but your image on the window is simply amazing. Here it's only a tiny bit of feather usually. I've never seen anything so clear as yours.

Have a black-billed cuckoo in my freezer going to the royal ontario museum - he died after a heavy strike... so sad...

But lately everyone seems to be calmer and the strikes are getting fewer. Cross my fingers for you too Nancy - but a brilliant post!

[Dawn Fine]

OuCH!!