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Hello,
I need help (non-lethal) to stop a robin from banging into my windows. It starts at the break of day, and abates at sundown. I have hung sheets, banged on the wind and scared him away, but he ALWAYS returns. I do not hunt, I have considered a B.B. gun but really don’t want to harm him. That seems to be everyone’s solution kill it. Not mine.
Thanks
You live in a nice spot, I’m about 6 hours west on the Blue Ridge. More so early morning, but anytime of the day really. It has now taken to attacking my wife’s new car mirror. Darnedest thing I’ve seen. I have witnessed the odd bird doing this on occasion, this one is hellbent on breaking through. It would have made a good extra for Hitchcock in the “birds”
We are having this problem for the first time ever. Oh sure, we've occasionally had a bird fly into a window, sometimes with a very bad outcome, and other times they are stunned a bit, sit on the ground for a while and then fly away.
But the past few weeks....there is a robin that does this on and off from sun up until sun down. It's actually getting to the point where I'm getting angry and I told my wife I'm about ready to go outside and take the pellet gun after him. I too am an animal lover and haven't intentionally killed any animal in over 30 years....but this robin is flat out pissing me off.
There are times he does it 5 or 6 times in a 30 second period. He approaches the window, bangs against it, backs up a bit (in the air while flying) and bangs it again....and again, and again. There may be a 5 minute break and then he'll start on another window and do the same thing. We may then have a half hour break and it all starts over again on another window.
I'm pretty sure it's same robin because a few times I've gone outside and watched for a bit.
My wife googled the problem and said it's a male robin seeing himself in the reflection and trying to scare off other potential male mates competing for females to mate with.
Whatever it is, we've never had it before, and it's getting irritating real fast.
I'd think the window decals would be a good idea, except banging into the same window 5 or 6 times in a row tells me he's either not a real quick learner, he's mentally challenged, or he just likes hitting things.....and a decal isn't likely to change his behavior.
The bird is seeing his own reflection and thinks it's a competitor moving into his territory, so he attacks. As long as he can see his reflection, it will continue.
You live in a nice spot, I’m about 6 hours west on the Blue Ridge. More so early morning, but anytime of the day really. It has now taken to attacking my wife’s new car mirror. Darnedest thing I’ve seen. I have witnessed the odd bird doing this on occasion, this one is hellbent on breaking through. It would have made a good extra for Hitchcock in the “birds”
The mirror....
oh yes, he sees a "rival"....I have a towhee who does the same every afternoon...
What I'd give to see a red breasted robin... down here that's a no-go.
As to the OP, I hope you find a solution. They are beautiful birds.
Can you put some type of moving object on the window, such as mosquito netting?
I know, not attractive, but at least it could allow the robin to live and give you some peace.
Hang some newspaper or paper towels in the window he flies into. Little guy's just a little bird doing bird stuff, to the best of his ability. Life is tough out there in the wild.
Hang some newspaper or paper towels in the window he flies into. Little guy's just a little bird doing bird stuff, to the best of his ability. Life is tough out there in the wild.
I was going to suggest the same thing. Put something outside your window like a sheet, newspaper, whatever so he sees it as a solid, not an open space and his reflection. After a few days, he'll move on to another part of his territory since that other bird he keeps seeing is no longer there.
Dwatted, just repped you on another post. But really...newspaper? They still make that stuff?
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