How To Make Windows Safer for Birds While Preserving Your Building’s Architecture
Anti Bird Strike Window Film in Singapore
Modern buildings are increasingly designed with expansive glass façades that maximise natural daylight and create stunning architectural statements. Unfortunately, these same glass surfaces can become invisible hazards for birds.
Every year, thousands of birds collide with glass buildings because they mistake reflections of trees, sky and surrounding landscapes for open flight paths. This issue becomes even more significant in Singapore, where migratory birds pass through the country annually and many developments are located close to parks, reservoirs and forested areas.
At Jestac, we provide professionally installed bird strike prevention films that help make glass visible to birds without significantly affecting the appearance of your building.
Featured Project: NTU School of Art, Design and Media
In 2026, Jestac was awarded the project to install customised bird collision prevention films at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design and Media (ADM)
The project involved installing approximately 800 square metres of customised patterned film across the building’s identified high-risk glass window panels before Singapore’s annual migratory season. The installation followed years of research and advocacy by Project Avigate, a student-led initiative documenting bird collisions around the campus.
The project was subsequently featured in The Straits Times, highlighting how bird-friendly glazing solutions can reduce collisions while preserving the iconic appearance of the building.
This project demonstrates how thoughtfully designed architectural films can contribute to biodiversity conservation without requiring major building alterations.
Why Do Birds Fly Into Windows?
Unlike humans, birds do not recognise glass windows as a solid obstacle.
Large windows often reflect:
- Blue skies
- Trees and vegetation
- Water features
- Open landscapes
To a bird travelling at speed, these reflections appear to be safe flight paths instead of solid barriers.
Transparent glass presents another challenge. Birds may see greenery or daylight on the opposite side and attempt to fly straight through.
This explains why bird collisions commonly occur on:
- Curtain wall façades
- Office buildings
- Schools and universities
- Hotels
- Nature parks
- Residential developments beside greenery
- Buildings with skybridges or enclosed courtyards
Why Singapore Buildings Are Especially Vulnerable
Singapore lies along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, one of the world’s major migratory bird routes.
Every year, migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres between breeding and wintering grounds. During the southward migration, many species pass through or stop over in Singapore before continuing their journey.
Buildings located near the following areas are generally at greater risk because birds are naturally attracted to these habitats:
- Nature reserves
- Reservoirs
- Parks
- Green corridors
- Campus environments
- Waterfront developments
Who Should Consider Installing Anti Bird Strike Film On Their Windows?
Bird strike prevention solutions are recommended for:
- Commercial office buildings
- Educational institutions
- Universities
- Hotels and resorts
- Government buildings
- Hospitals
- Museums
- Airports
- Nature attractions
- Condominiums
- Residential developments near greenery
If your building features large reflective glass windows adjacent to vegetation, it may benefit from a bird collision risk assessment.
How Anti Bird Strike Film Works
Anti Bird Strike Film introduces subtle visual markers on the window’s glass surface.
While people typically notice the pattern only at close range, birds perceive these markings as a physical barrier and instinctively avoid flying towards the window.
Rather than changing the building’s design, the film helps birds distinguish between open air and reflective glazing.
The result is a building solution that is:
- Highly visible to birds
- Minimally intrusive to building occupants
- Suitable for retrofit projects
- Applicable to both existing and new developments
Benefits of Anti Bird Strike Film
Protects Local Wildlife
Reduces preventable bird collisions and supports biodiversity conservation.
Preserves Building Appearance
Modern bird-friendly films remain visually subtle from a distance while remaining effective for birds.
Retrofits Existing Buildings
No replacement of existing glazing is required.
Supports Sustainability Goals
Bird-friendly building design is increasingly recognised as part of broader environmental and ESG initiatives, helping organisations demonstrate responsible stewardship of the built environment.
Long Service Life
Professionally installed exterior-grade films are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and provide years of performance when properly maintained.
Where Should Anti Bird Strike Film Be Installed?
Not every window panel necessarily requires treatment.
A professional site assessment helps identify high-risk locations such as:
- Glass facing vegetation
- Reflective curtain walls
- Glass corners
- Transparent walkways
- Glass link bridges
- Courtyard glazing
- Windows overlooking ponds or water features
- Low-rise façades close to tree canopies
Targeting these critical areas often provides the greatest reduction in collision risk while optimising project costs.
Choosing the Right Bird-Friendly Pattern
Not every decorative pattern effectively reduces bird collisions.
Research has consistently shown that birds are more likely to avoid glass windows when visible markers are spaced closely enough that they do not perceive a safe gap to fly through.
Common pattern options include dots and vertical or horizontal lines, creating a cleaner, uniform architectural appearance while maintaining visibility for birds.
Custom Graphic Patterns
For landmark buildings or projects with branding requirements, customised printed designs can be produced while maintaining bird-friendly spacing principles.
Examples include:
- Organic patterns
- Geometric artwork
- Architectural graphics
- Institution branding
- Bespoke visual treatments
The NTU ADM installation is an example of a customised solution that balanced bird safety with architectural aesthetics.
Why Choose Jestac?
For over three decades, Jestac has delivered specialised architectural film solutions across Singapore.
Our team provides:
- Professional site assessment
- Custom bird-friendly pattern recommendations
- High-quality printed architectural films
- Trained and certified in-house installers
- Installation planning that minimises disruption
- Solutions tailored to each building’s architecture
Our involvement in the NTU ADM retrofit reflects our experience in delivering technically demanding installations where environmental protection, aesthetics and workmanship are equally important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anti Bird Strike Film block the building occupants’ view?
No. Most bird-friendly patterns are designed to remain subtle for occupants while being much more visible to birds.
Can the film be customised?
Yes. Depending on the project, customised printed graphics, dot patterns, line patterns and bespoke designs can be produced while maintaining bird-friendly effectiveness.
Is the film suitable for existing buildings?
Yes. Most projects are retrofit installations applied directly onto existing glass.
Does every glass panel need Anti Bird Strike Film?
Not necessarily. A site assessment helps determine which façades present the highest collision risk.
Can Anti Bird Strike Film be installed together with solar or safety film?
Depending on the glazing system and project requirements, multiple architectural film solutions may be considered. Our specialists can recommend the most suitable configuration after evaluating your building.
Protect Birds Without Compromising Your Building Windows
Bird collisions are preventable. With the right film design and professional installation, buildings can become significantly safer for wildlife while retaining the architectural appearance that designers intended.
Whether you manage a university campus, commercial office, hotel or residential development, Jestac can recommend a customised anti bird strike solution tailored to your building.
Contact us today to arrange a site assessment and learn how bird-friendly window films can help protect both your building and Singapore’s biodiversity.