Bird-friendly glass refers to specially designed glass that helps prevent bird collisions with buildings a significant environmental issue causing the death of millions of birds globally each year. Birds often can’t distinguish reflective or transparent glass from open sky, trees, or habitat, leading them to fly into it at full speed.

Why Do Birds Hit Glass?

Birds see reflections of the sky, clouds, or greenery in glass and assume it’s a continuation of their flight path. In other cases, especially with clear glass, they don’t perceive a barrier at all.

What Makes Glass Bird-Friendly?

To reduce bird collisions, bird-friendly glass incorporates visual markers that alert birds to the presence of a solid surface. These can be:

1. Etched Patterns: Small patterns (dots, lines, grids) that break up the glass surface.
2. UV Coatings: Birds can see UV light; applying UV-reflective patterns invisible to humans can help.
3. Fritted Glass: Ceramic dots fused to the surface that create visual cues.
4. Acid-Etched Designs: Subtle permanent patterns that reduce reflectivity and make glass visible to birds.
5. External Screens or Films: Applied to existing glass to create bird-safe surfaces.
6. Spandrel Panels or Decorative Glass: Opaque or printed designs that minimize collision risks.

To be effective, markers must follow the "2x4 rule":

• Spacing should be no more than 2 inches apart horizontally or 4 inches vertically based on a bird’s wingspan and flight patterns.

Bird-Friendly Glass & Sustainability

• It's often integrated into green building design and is eligible for points under LEED and other sustainability certifications.
• Used widely in museums, offices, airports, residential buildings, and facades located near migratory paths or natural landscapes.

Can FG Glass Offer Bird-Friendly Solutions?

Yes, FG Glass proudly offers a specialized bird-friendly glass solution called FG BirdPro™, developed to help prevent bird collisions while maintaining architectural aesthetics and performance.

FG BirdPro™ is designed using scientifically proven patterns and surface treatments that birds can see and avoid  helping protect avian species while supporting sustainable building practices. This solution aligns with the "2x4 rule," ensuring visual markers are spaced effectively to deter birds from flying into the glass.

FG BirdPro™ is available in a variety of customizable formats, including:

• Ceramic fritting
• UV-reflective coatings
• Digitally printed patterns
• Acid-etched designs

It can be integrated into various FG Glass platforms such as ENAMELITE™, DIGITECTURE®, and VIVID, combining bird safety with energy efficiency, durability, and design flexibility.

Whether you're developing a high-rise near green corridors, a nature-facing museum, or a LEED-certified public space, FG BirdPro™ ensures your façade is both environmentally conscious and visually compelling.

For tailored bird-friendly glazing solutions, reach out to us at fgglass.com