Can Ultraviolet-cut film reduce bird collisions with windows? Countermeasures against collisions on the Tottori University of Environmental Studies campus

Abstract

Collisions with windows represent a significant threat to birds, and effective countermeasures are urgently needed. Films that cut UV light are a potential solution, but have not previously been used in Japan. A survey of bird-window collisions was conducted on the campus of Tottori University of Environmental Studies, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan. Over a period of 38 months, collisions of 65 individuals of 20 species, belonging to 16 families, were recorded. Notably, Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus collided most frequently, especially during June and July. Various factors were identified as potentially being involved in avian-window collisions, including the surrounding environment. Furthermore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of countermeasures using UV-cut film. The results indicated that collisions with corridor windows fitted with UV-cut film were significantly reduced.