I have long referred to birds fighting with their reflections in glass as
shadow boxing. Of course this can be as annoying to the homeowner as it is
to the bird. The most common birds I know of that do this are robins,
cardinals and American goldfinches, although I have had a blue jay attack a
window in the past, although not as persistently, and also watched a
rose-br grosbeak do this on our house.
This morning I watched a robin start on this habit and quickly got some red
flagging tape and attached it above the window hoping to break the bird of
this habit before it got going. I then heard some tapping on another
window only to find a white-breasted nuthatch clinging to the back of some
patio furniture looking into the window as well as walking back and forth
with its wings spread in an aggressive display towards itself. This turned
out to be a simply fix as I just moved the furniture away from the window.
I have watched other passerines do the same thing in other countries,
mostly with the mirrors on cars (a tomtit in New Zealand for example).
Several years ago I had a cardinal obsess over a car mirror. These days
most vehicles have mirrors that can be folded inwards but these were fixed
so I put plastic bags on the mirrors. While this kept the bird away I
usually forgot to remove the bags until I was a block or two from the house.
I find that the trick to break birds of this habit is to act ASAP before it
gets ingrained. Like most compulsive or addictive behaviors early
intervention is essential for a successful outcome - simply bird
psychology. I am now trying to get the robin to lie on my couch as we work
through these problems.
Bill
FdL Co
--
Bill Volkert
Naturalist
www.billvolkert
One life, one planet - and so many birds.
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