The German company Hegla boraident has developed a mobile laser system called BIRDfriend Mobile. It enables protective patterns to be applied to windows, façades, and other glazed structures without removing the glass. The system operates directly at the site: the device attaches to the surface using vacuum suction cups and then automatically applies a pattern that is almost invisible to humans but clearly visible to birds. As a result, birds do not crash into the transparent glass they cannot otherwise detect.
According to Hegla boraident, in some countries such as Sweden, bird protection on glass façades is already a legal requirement.
The glass is marked with a special dotted pattern that birds perceive as a barrier, significantly reducing the risk of collisions. The UniColor system used in BIRDfriend Mobile offers triple-layer protection:
1. The distance between the dots is smaller than the birds’ wingspan, so they are deterred from attempting to fly through — it appears to them there is no space.
2. The glass no longer reflects trees and the sky as it used to — it doesn't resemble a natural continuation.
3. Birds see ultraviolet light, and the pattern alters how the glass appears in UV — making it visible to them.
The pattern is always applied to the outside surface of the glass so it remains visible even in strong glare or low sunlight. The laser does not damage the surface, and the pattern is resistant to scratches, fading, and weather conditions.
Another German company has come up with a different approach — applying special films to already installed glass so that birds can see it too.
Photo: Hegla boraident
Opaque or semi-transparent dots are printed at intervals of 5 to 10 centimetres
Hegla boraident introduces mobile laser system for bird-friendly glass
ID no: 23669
Apr 18, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
