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The ghostly impressions left on glass when birds crash into windows

This picture gallery contains photos of the ghostly impressions left by birds when they crash into windows. Many of these bird-impact pictures show the birds' last moment of life, but it's not all bad news - some of the birds survived.

Pigeon imprint is seen in this picture by Denis-Carl Robidoux taken on February 2009, in Montreal, Canada
This picture gallery contains photos of the ghostly impressions left by birds when they crash into windows. Many of these bird-impact pictures show the birds' last moment of life, but it's not all bad news - some of the birds survived. Credit: Denis-Carl Robidoux/Barcroft Media
This is an impression left by a dove striking a car while it was being driven on December 31 2005 in Popayam, Columbia. The dove flew away and the driver was unhurt.
Exeter University postdoctorate student, Richard Heeks, 38, runs a group on the picture sharing website, Flickr where contributors from across the world submit their bird-splat pictures. Credit: Richard Heeks / Barcroft Media
Bird imprint in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Novembr 10, 2006
"I first became aware of this phenomenon during a weekend in Yorkshire," explained Richard. "I happened to walk past a window and my brother-in-law pointed something out to me. "He said - look there's an owl print on the window of that house. I couldn't believe it so I took a picture and posted it on flickr - thinking I was probably one of the only people to notice this before. I saw in fact other people had taken incredible pictures as well so I thought it would be cool to start a group and bring them together." Credit: Richard Heeks / Barcroft Media
A pigeon leaves a dramatic impression on a window in Melbourne, Australia, on May 16, 2006
There are a variety of theories as to why birds hit windows - the most obvious is that windows are clear and the flying creatures simply fail to spot the danger in time. But some members of Richard's flickr group have pointed out that often birds appear to strike windows deliberately. "Some people believe the birds see their own reflection in the glass," he said. "Being territorial they may mistake this for a rival and be trying to scare them away." Credit: Richard Heeks / Barcroft Media
A dove print on the window of a building in Palo Alto, California, on July 29, 2009
"It's the strangest thing to think that's a visual mark of their last moments. One minute these birds are flying around freely and the next it's the end. Birds' feathers have a waterproof oil on them. I imagine that's actually what's sticking to the glass after they hit it - which leaves the mark" Credit: Richard Heeks / Barcroft Media
A dove impression is photographed by Walter Snyder on March 03, 2007 in the US
To prevent birds striking windows the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recommends fixing plastic stickers to windows. Stickers shaped like hawks and other birds of prey are particularly effective at scaring away most other types of birds. It is estimated that thousands of birds die each year by flying into windows. For more information see http://www.rspb.org.uk Credit: Walter Snyder / Barcroft Media
An imprint of an owl is left on a window pane after the bird crashed into the window. Sally Arnold returned home to Kendal, Cumbria, and found the huge imprint complete with eyes, beak and feathers on her bedroom window. The silhouette was left by the bird's 'powder down' - a substance protecting growing feathers.
An imprint of an owl is left on a window pane after the bird crashed into the window. Sally Arnold returned home to Kendal, Cumbria, and found the huge imprint complete with eyes, beak and feathers on her bedroom window. The silhouette was left by the bird's 'powder down' - a substance protecting growing feathers. Credit: PA / RSPB
The ghostly figure of an owl is captured by Ted Bobosh on July 30 2009 in Dayton, Ohio
The ghostly figure of an owl is captured by Ted Bobosh on July 30 2009 in Dayton, Ohio Credit: Ted Bobosh / Barcroft Media
A print of an owl is seen on a living room window of Morag Perkins in Glasgow on March 25, 2011
A print of an owl is seen on a living room window of Morag Perkins in Glasgow on March 25, 2011 Credit: Morag Perkins / Barcroft Media
Print of an owl on the living room window of Morag Perkins in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 25, 2011
Print of an owl on the living room window of Morag Perkins in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 25, 2011 Credit: Morag Perkins / Barcroft Media
The impression of an owl on a school window set against black cardboard is held by a teacher in Victoria, Australia, on March 26, 2010
The impression of an owl on a school window set against black cardboard is held by a teacher in Victoria, Australia, on March 26, 2010 Credit: Richard Heeks / Barcroft Media
Imprint left by a wood pigeon which flew at full-speed into a double-glazed window
Valerie Dinwiddy, 61, was woken up at 5.20am on July 17 by what sounded like an explosion outside her home in Bishop's Stortford, Herts. She investigated and found this ghostly imprint left by a wood pigeon which flew at full-speed into a double-glazed window. It appears the bird survived, as there was no trace of its body. Credit: SWNS.COM