In addition to April Fools’ Day, there is another important holiday on April 1 – International Bird Day. It will remind us how significantly human civilization affects the life of birds. Birds mistake glass facades for a safe oasis of greenery, and a collision with them is often fatal for them.
Few people know that glass facades, which are most often found on office buildings in larger cities, are one of the biggest dangers for birds. In the Czech Republic alone, approximately one million birds die each year as a result of hitting glass, and worldwide this number is estimated at up to one billion.
Fortunately, there are now specially developed glasses that can protect them from impact. Michal Široký, a glazing expert from the Saint-Gobain Building Glass company, explains how they work.
Danger to birds
Birds move at great speed – tiny songbirds fly at speeds of 30 kilometers per hour and pigeons, for example, at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour – and unlike humans, their eyes are located on the sides of their heads.
Therefore, they see the sharpest to the sides and do not pay so much attention to the space in front of them. They are also unable to distinguish reality from mirror reflection. They often confuse the mirror surface with safe greenery. Because of this, however, we do not have to get rid of glass facades on houses, which have their indisputable advantages. Just choose bird-safe glass.
One silhouette doesn’t work
Source: Youtube
Reflections also do damage
Glass facades pose a danger to birds for two partially contradictory reasons. “If the glass is too transparent, the birds are not aware of its presence and believe that they can fly freely through the space. However, opaque windows reflecting their surroundings are also problematic for buildings that stand near parks or other greenery. The external reflection of trees, bushes and clouds in the sky reminds the birds of their safe environment with the possibility of shelter
and plenty of food,” Michal Široký explains the problem.
The glass must not be completely transparent or reflect the surroundings too much
It is therefore ideal in practice to use glass that is not completely transparent, but at the same time does not have a high external reflection either. “A suitable solution is also a visible contrast in the glass in the form of a pattern created, for example, by acid etching, frit, painting or decal,” says an expert from Saint-Gobain Building Glass. “At the same time, the pattern must be clearly visible to the birds. The light plays an important role in this, which should be uniform and not create a significant external reflection,” he adds.
Login
(esc)
close
We will remember you and you can read Dumazahrada.cz without restrictions.
Unlock poll
(esc) close
warning_fill
They can only vote in the poll user login.
Log in
Do you agree that bird protection on glass facades should be mandatory?
close
info
Aleachim/Shutterstock
A dead blackbird on a wooden terrace after hitting a window-
Yes I agree. It should be a condition of approval.
•0%
success_fill
Yes I agree. It should be a condition of approval.
No, but designers should think about the protection of birds.
•0%
success_fill
No, but designers should think about the protection of birds.
Voted: 0
Tunnel test for birds
Scientists in Europe and the United States are actively engaged in the protection of birds in connection with glass facades. Martin Rössler of the Vienna Environmental Advocacy Group, for example, created a bird tunnel test that verifies the effectiveness of bird protection through glazing.
“The test consists of placing two panes of glass at the end of a tunnel through which eighty to one hundred birds gradually fly through. If more than a quarter of them avoid the glass, the glass is so-called bird-friendly, i.e. it complies with the principles of bird protection,” describes Michal Široký.
close
info
Lina Mo/Shutterstock
zoom_in
A bird flying along the glass wall of a skyscraper
Special glass is also at the Statue of Liberty Museum
Certification of glass in the field of bird protection is provided, for example, by the American Bird Conservancy. Saint-Gobain solutions from the 4Bird series, which were used in the USA, in New York’s Statue of Liberty Museum, correspond to its standards.
Here on a small island, the use of ordinary glasses threatened to create a dangerous area for birds. Specially treated glass panes can be combined, for example, with sun protection. In this way, you will achieve not only a transparent appearance and protection against overheating of the interior, but also enough natural light,” adds Michal Široký.
close
info
Saint-Gobain Glass / Saint-Gobain Glass
zoom_in
Certification of glass in the field of bird protection is provided, for example, by the American Bird Conservancy
European legislation
At the same time, the so-called “bird-friendly” glass can also contribute to the comfort of the residents of the house. In contrast to the USA and Canada, where in many countries the parameters of glass facades are regulated by legislation, in European countries everything is completely based on the principle of voluntariness and recommendations.
Anyone planning a building or renovation can thus decide for themselves whether or not they will also think about the safety and protection of the birds that are singing the coming of spring when choosing glass.
Source: guardianglass.com, abcbirds.org
related articles
Tags: Glass facades quieter killers feathered friends time killing reduced
-
