How window stickers could save birds' lives this spring

As the first hints of spring signal the migration of all sorts of birds back to their warm-weather homes, advocacy groups are looking to solve a perennial problem for our avian friends: windows.

As many as hundreds of millions of birds die each year in the U.S. after flying into windows, Popular Science reports. Clean, streak-free windows might provide a lovely view for humans, but birds aren't able to perceive glass, and even when it doesn't kill them, the collisions can stun or seriously injure the birds, leaving them unable to fly off.

And with so many birds dying, the ecosystems and even the economy can be affected. Birds play a vital role in controlling insect populations, and Michael Mesure, executive director of a nonprofit called the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), points out that the bird-watching industry is a huge draw for tourism. "People fly from one corner of the planet to another to add a bird species to their list," he says. "With birds gone, it'll affect the economy, too."

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While bird-safe glass has proven very effective at curbing the number of collisions, it can be tedious and potentially expensive to replace all the windows in your house. One cheaper alternative that advocates have suggested comes in the form of stickers and window decals. Regardless of the shape or color, stickers can help birds see that there is an obstacle preventing their flight, and greatly reduce the number of crashes this migratory season.

Maybe it's time to trade in the Windex for a sheet of stickers — the birds in your neighborhood will thank you.

Read more about other methods of bird-proofing your windows at Popular Science.