How To Keep Birds
From Pecking Window Screens?

By Richard Worden

Have you even bought new windows only to find out that after a couple of weeks, they’re all scratched? When birds notice their reflection in your clean window screen, they think it’s a rival ready to fight, and the only victim is your poor window. This may lead you to wonder as to how to keep birds from pecking window screens…if so, read on!

The best solution to keep birds from pecking window screens would be to protect your window from the outside. You can do this by external shutters or screens or by placing some plants so the birds can’t reach the screen. Also, you can always buy bird deterrent products, like bird reflectors.

In this article, I’ll give you a list of the best methods to keep your window screen intact and “angry birds” at bay. Also, I’ll include two bird deterrent products you can use around your window.

1. Install an External Screen

One of the cheapest ways to answer the question of how to keep birds from pecking window screens is to buy an external screen or a mesh. You can buy an anti-mosquito screen; that way, no bird will be able to reach the window screen. 

The great thing about external screens is that they’re relatively cheap. Now, some really aggressive birds may poke through the mesh (depending on the material of the mesh), but you can always replace it with a new one. 

That generally shouldn’t be a problem, however, since it’s really difficult to see any reflection in a window screen once the mesh is “up and running,” so birds won’t be interested in your window.

2. Get External Shutters Instead of Internal Ones

Windows nowadays usually come with shutters built from the inside. More traditional homes used to have shutters on the outside, and honestly, we need more of those!

The fact of the matter is, even if you have traditional wooden external shutters, birds won’t approach your window screens, and even if they do, there won’t be much they can do to those shutters. 

Naturally, today you can choose more modern external shutters that are super strong and aesthetically pleasing - it’s a win-win.

3. Put Some Leafy Plants in Front of Your Windows

Many people already decorate their homes and windows with pots of various plants and flowers. If you’re not one of those, get some plants immediately. The truth is, these plants don’t just perform a decorative function. They can be a great way to keep birds away from your window screens.

Arrange some plants with a lot of green leaves in front of your windows (from the outside). 

“Why do plants need to have big green leaves?” I hear you ask. Well, planting many colorful flowers might just invite more birds that like the nectar, like hummingbirds. Also, those big leaves are a great natural bird deterrent because when they try to land on the leaf’s surface, it’ll just bend down under the bird’s weight. This will scare the bird away.

4. Bird Deterrent Products Can Be Used Near Windows

Not all of these methods will work for some people, depending on many factors. However, don’t feel discouraged. Luckily, there are many really good bird deterrent products you can buy. This is certainly the easiest option, and you should give it a try.

          Bird Deterrent Products To Protect Your Window Screens

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5. Get Awnings for Your Windows

Awnings aren’t the most common thing we see around people’s homes, especially above their windows. Unfortunately, because of this, the sun’s glare creates a perfect reflection on our window screens, making it a perfect mirror for birds - which they then use for pecking. 

I’m not blaming birds for this - it’s the reflection’s fault, and we should get rid of it. That’s where awnings come in. Window awnings are a great way to reduce the reflection on our window screens. Plus, if you have a really stubborn bird hanging around your window, you can lower the awning (depending on the model) to cover your window.

6. Distort the Reflective Nature of Your Windows

Let’s stick with the reflective nature of our window screens for just a bit longer. I get it; some people maybe can’t afford or simply don’t like the look of window awnings. What else can we do to reduce reflection on our window screens?

Fortunately, there are other (cheaper) options available. Here’s what else you can do to “break” some of that window reflection:

• Use tape strips: You can use translucent or non-translucent tapes to apply to your window screen. The best way to use tape on windows is to have vertical strips with a few inches of space between each strip.
• Paint a portion of your window screen: You can use some paints used for art rather than permanent industrial paint. You should use as many colors as you can in smaller amounts in different areas of your window.
• Stick some stickers: Stickers are a safer option than paint because they’re removed easier. Stickers will definitely reduce glare and reflection.
  
  

7. Don’t Feed the Birds Near Your Windows

Many people don’t realize that sometimes, they’re the main cause of birds showing up on their windows and pecking their window screens. Whenever you place some crumbs or any other food to feed some birds on your window sill, you’re asking for trouble.

Sure, you think, “It’s just one or two birds, nothing wrong with feeding them.” However, birds are really good at finding food - it’s like a secret magic trick. 

When you place some food on your window sill, that’ll:

• Attract many birds that’ll start coming regularly 
• Create problems with bird poop
• Some birds will start pecking your window screen, thinking it’s another bird.

I’m not saying stop feeding birds completely - just do it elsewhere. You can bring some leftover crumbs or whatever you have a few feet away from your home.

8. Install Zen Wind Curtains to Your Windows

It seems zen wind curtains aren’t only “zen” for us humans but for birds as well. Zen wind curtains aren’t like other traditional curtains for various reasons:

• They’re installed on the outside
• They’re made from vertical strips of paracord
• They don’t hurt the birds if they fly into them
• You can make them yourself.

We know by now that the best way to keep birds from pecking window screens is to put something in front of the window from the outside, which makes these curtains perfect bird deterrents. Also, they’re just strips of paracord placed vertically close to one another.

That’s great because:

• Birds can’t land on them easily
• They distort the window screen reflection.
  
  

How To Keep Birds From Pecking Window Screens...Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to keep birds from pecking window screens - welcome, join the club. It’s a common problem with many window owners (which is pretty much everyone). Hopefully, common problems bring numerous creative solutions.

Remember, to keep birds from pecking window screens:

• Install something that’ll reduce the reflection, like a mosquito mesh.
• Buy something to cover the window on the outside, such as exterior shutters.
• Get some professional bird deterrent products, like bird gel.
  
  

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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