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aggressive robin...

15 years ago

Not sure if this is the right place for this or not, but I need some suggestions on how to dissuade an aggressive robin from constantly attacking the glass doors on our back porch. I am assuming that he's staked out our big oak tree for his breeding ground and sees his reflection in the window and is trying to fight off a competitor, but its getting kind of annoying. Not to mention the giant mound of bird poo all over my deck. Any helpful tips would be very much appreciated!

also - once the female has laid eggs, how aggressive/protective will the robins be? Like - will they swoop on my kids playing in the backyard or on me while mowing or whatever?

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Comments (2)

donald lucius
15 years ago
you might try a desk lamp or floor lamp with a cone hood on it that focus a beam of light. turn it on when he starts the light beam breaks up the reflection on the glass
Elly_NJ
15 years ago
There is a link on this web site's home page titled Emergency Bird Care and FAQs. On that linke it says this:

ODD BIRD BEHAVIOR

Birds are Flying Against/Hitting Closed Windows.

Birds can see their reflection in a window. During the breeding season, when the birds are most territorial, they view the reflection as another bird intruding on their territory, and try to chase it away. Most species do not recognize the reflection as their own self. Many species of birds engage in this activity. The best way to discourage this behavior is to place a non-reflective material in front of the window on the outside to prevent the reflection. This is only a temporary behavior that will cease when the breeding season in over.
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I phoned the lady who brought Claudia to me and told her that she had died. The lady said she now checks EVERY bird she sees on the roadside ... (there are so many this time of year)... and she said she found another young Robin that was fluttering in the middle of the road. She stopped and picked up the bird but it died within 15 minutes of her rescue. :-( At least she tried and she did try with dear Claudia. I didn't see you waxwing story, Jean. Sorry that your waxwing died too. The rescue people are fantastic without a doubt! Sometimes those who are rescued need more aggressive immediate medical attention (especially any head trauma patient) and even then it may not be the outcome we all hope for. I'm sure you did your best for the waxwing! You cared enough to get him some help. :-) It was not to be for your birdy either. We are not a rare breed. Strange ??? YES! Rare ??? No! We just do what needs to be done in a given situation or get someone who knows what else may need to be done. We happen to have more things readily available than other people. I still have the Avian guy on speed-dial! LOL! The best reward is a life saved and a release back to the wild if circumstances permit. If there is a disability then a happy life surrounded by love and safe from those who may prey upon them. Apple Jacks cereal helps too! :-) Here is our Olive. We cannot imagine Camp Nappy without her! What a joy! :-)
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A whole year later but I just wanted to add something that may be interesting. Thanks to susanzone5 for that great article, by the way. So glad we all learn from each other. I have a Brown-headed Cowbird couple and one very aggressive Robin (yes, Robin) coming to one of my tube feeders, which I am going to change today. I'm thinking these 2 birds are always together at this feeder. This particular feeder has a seed mix and the Cowbirds seem to be eating the millet first and then the BOSS. Before I can change this one feeder to safflower-only, I am going out right now and replace it with a tube without its saucer, and another saucerless tube, in an attempt to move the Cowbirds to any of my other feeders in another location. I really just wanted you to know that I think the Cowbird and Robin are travelling together because they always arrive at this feeder together. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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