Why My "Dirty" Windows in Puriscal Are a Bird's Best Friend

 

Bird recovering inside laundry basket.

Here in our Puriscal, Costa Rica home, I often catch myself apologizing to guests for streaky windows. Normally, I leave the exterior a bit dusty; it’s not neglect, but a trick I’ve learned to stop birds from mistaking glass for jungle. That thin layer of grime breaks reflections, keeping our feathered neighbors safe in this bird-happy corner of Costa Rica. But recently, I caved and gave the windows a sparkling clean, inside and out. Big mistake. Within days, two birds crashed into the now-invisible panes.

The first hit with a thud that sent me scrambling. If they’re still enough, our cat Kitty loses interest; lucky for them. I dumped out a laundry basket, creating a shady recovery nook. In just ten minutes, this little guy shook it off and zipped back to the trees. A small victory for my makeshift Puriscal bird ER.

Another bird inside laundry basket.

The second bird wasn’t as quick. She sat dazed for hours in the basket, even after I moved it to an open spot with a clear view of the sky. Nothing seemed to get her going, she stayed put. As dusk fell I decided to gently check for injuries. To my relief, she fluttered off into the twilight. Moments like these highlight the fragile beauty of Puriscal’s wildlife.