Feather Window Guards

[Kathleen Robins <farm at softcom dot net>]

We would like to share an idea for preventing birds from crashing into 
your windows.  We have used strings of feathers for several years now and 
have seen a noticeable difference in the number of birds hitting our 
windows and being injured or killed.

These feather window guards are easy to make and last at least a year: 
(1) feathers (4 inches long) - We use earth tones but any color would 
work.  These are available at craft stores; (2) fishing line - also 
available from craft stores or from your tackle box; (3) sewing needle 
with an eye large enough to accommodate the fishing line. Begin by 
determining the height of the window plus another 1/2 of the height; then 
add another 20 inches for each end (40 inches). For example, if the window 
is 50 inches high your measurement would be 75 inches for the window plus 
40 inches for the ends so the total length of the line would be 115 
inches.  Cut a piece of fishing line that is this total length.  Lay out 
the feathers approximately 4" apart until you have one and one half the 
height of the window.  Tie a knot in the fishing line 20" from one of the 
ends (this will be the bottom).  Thread the other end of the fishing line 
through the needle on the opposite end.  Push the needle and fishing line 
through the thickest part of the quill of one of the feathers 
approximately 3/4" from the tip. Push the feather down the fishing line to 
the bottom knot.  Tie another knot on the opposite side of the feather 
(top).  This will keep the feathers from sliding on the line. Measure up 
approximately 4" from this first feather and tie another knot.  Thread 
another feather and push it down to this knot. Lay the feather string on a 
flat surface as you work and tape down the line with masking tape 
periodically.  This will prevent the string from becoming tangled. 
Continue knotting in 4" intervals and pushing each feather down until you 
are 20" from the top of the fishing line.  That's it.  Hang the feather 
string on the outside of the window, approximately in the center. Tie the 
top and bottom of the line to nails or tacks that have a large head so the 
fishing line does not slip off.  Cut off the excess line. Hang the line 
rather loosely so the feathers will twirl in the wind.  Hope this works 
for you.

Kathy and Hal

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