problem robin

I have a very persistent robin that is hitting a couple of my windows (I don't mean like the occasional collision that birders write about). He (I believe he is a male as his coloring is fairly intense) hits one or the other of the windows he favors repeatedly every few minutes and has kept up this behavior for days. He's driving me nuts. The windows face North and Northeast, with the North-facing window getting the most strikes. I don't believe the bird is seeing reflections as there is no direct light falling on the windows involved. I can't see any reflections in those windows myself from outside. He will hit at the window, then sit on the window sill or on a rhododendron that is a few feet away from the window, then hit it again. The behavior is troublesome, but I don't have time to go outside to shoo him away from the windows every few minutes. I have tried putting things on the window, but it seems clear to me that he must be aware of the glass since he has so repeatedly hit the windows over so long a period of time. He is rapidly loosing his fear of me anyway, and nothing I put on the windows seems to deter the behavior. Meanwhile, he is pooping all over the window sills, and has made a mess of the outside of the windows. The behavior is very persistent, and I'm wondering what to do about it. Any suggestions?

I'm assuming this is somehow related to mating season, but ????

I'm currious myself, hope someone with some knowledge will come and share with us.

My folks had what they deemed the "bedroom robin" for several years..same habit only it was their bedroom window at dawn. They finally covered the exterior of the window with bird netting, and he gave up. Not the prettiest on the outside of the window, but a nice repreve for the short season that it occurs!

Good luck!

Maybe he has been eating a narcotic plant.

I think it is a temporary mating thing. I had one a few years ago that did the same to the big mirrors on my tow truck for my 5th wheel. He gave up for a real bird after a few days.

You could cover them with any non reflective material or spray them with a soapy water solution so it does not reflect (you would have to reapply if it rains) until breeding season is over.

2-sided tape and a sheer or lace curtain on the outside of the window works too. I've also had to tie a plastic bag or bandanna over my rear view mirrors to keep them from attacking their reflection (and scratching my paint)

He's still at it. My window is a mess and so is the sill and the pathway under the window. This is now going on two weeks that this bird has been doing this. I can't believe he's still at it. It's very frustrating. How long can I expect this behavior to continue? Any ideas?

Hi ST, What have you tried so far?

I've tried putting stuff against the windows on the inside (to block possible reflection, although I can't see myself in the windows from the outside). I've tried putting stuff against the windows from the outside, not like netting or something that would cover it completely, but sticks and branches and an old broom with the broom part against the window and the handle down. I've gone out there and shooed the bird away dozens of times. I've seen stickers that you put on your windows to keep birds from flying into them, but for these windows I wouldn't want to do something that stays on the window as there is a view in that direction. The view from these windows is important to me. These windows are corner windows in the northeast corner of my living room. I need the light and enjoy the view.

I'm considering getting the flashing streamers that are supposed to deter birds from fruit trees. I could hang those from the eaves, although I wouldn't want them there permanently. One problem is that this behavior started while I was out of town for a week. I came home and judging from the amount of bird poop on the sills and the mess on the window, the behavior was firmly established by the time I got back. Now I'm trying to stop something that's been going on for a while. Today I've seen the bird with dead grass and stuff in it's beak fairly often, so maybe it's going to build a nest. If so, I hope it puts it farther away from this entryway. I don't think this location is quiet enough for a nest. Too much foot traffic along the pathway. There's a nice evergreen that is very full and would make a very sheltered location for a nest just across the front yard. Is there any way I could encourage this bird to hang out there?

We have that problem each spring - only it isn't the house windows - it's the cars in the parking lot. The side view windows become the perching spot and end up covered with bird poop. He'll dive bomb the side windows. The cars at the end of the lot, closest to the trees & grass were the ones affected the most.
The owners tied plastic bags over the side mirrors. The bag protected the mirrors from the poop and also, when flapping in the wind, seemed to scare off the birds.

My theory is that he thinks his reflection is another robin & is trying to scare him out of his territory - eliminating compitition for a mate.

After about 2-3 weeks of this, the attacks stopped. I assume he found a mate and didn't care any more what that "other" robin was doing.

Nancy

That's exactly what he is thinking Nancy. Thanks for your input!

ST, There is no way to encourage them on where to nest but hopefully they'll agree with you.

You have a number of ideas here, keep us posted. Hope this doesn't last much longer.

It is the outside of the windows that need the cover. That is where the bird is getting the reflection of the other male in his territory. My neighbor has just installed a car cover due to a cardinal doing this to her car.

for the past 3 weeks birds have been pooping on my cars in the driveway, and the worst part is they are attacking the windows and paint. they are starting to scratch the paint. its not just a little poop or a bird or 2 doing this, it is many of them. i have a brand new truck and dont know what to do about this. they did this also to the windows on the front of my house until we put the screens back in for the summer, but now its the cars. can anyone help me with some advice.
thanks

Jeff

Hi Jeff, As far as poop goes, that cannot be helped as birds poop while flying.

Lets see if anyone has advice about the scratching of the paint.

Questions for original thread. Were you feeding these birds and then stopped? Do you have birds in your home? Do you have Mayflys or other insects that gather on the window's, all could be reasons for the Robin's window activity.

I have one that does this every morning all spring.. and has for the past few years. At least I hope it's the same robin and that they're not all a little off their rocker. He's now taken to landing on my deck and walking up to my deck door and tapping on it. My corgi is NOT amused.
And SoTired, please forgive me... but I also can't help but find it extremely funny that you're experiencing this issue and you're from the town of PECK. :)

I like the narcotic plant theory, (or ergotism) and I'm keeping my windows dirty just in case.

He quit doing this (fortunately!!) when mating (or maybe nesting) season ended. I do have a bird feeder, but it's nowhere near this window. I have no birds in my home, and I certainly hope there are no mayflies. I try hard to keep all kinds of flies out of the house with screens and swat the ones that get in anyway. I finally found the reflective tape I remember seeing to deter birds from fruit trees, and next year I will likely hang some of that in front of this window in the spring. Maybe that will help.

I don't mind the Peck joke at all. From what I understand, males from Peck are called Peckers, and females are Peckerettes, at least that's what several of the locals have told me. :)

Seems like Robins can be all kinds of problems as I just posted in the daily thread.