skip to main content

Help with bird problem

15 years ago

A female cardinal, on different days and at different windows of my house is repeatedly flying up and hitting the glass. She has done this to windows with coverings and some that are clear. Yesterday she spent the entire day, at least 6 hours, continually fluttering up and hitting the window with her beak. Can anyone explain this behavior?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

catherinet
15 years ago
She sees her reflection and thinks she's defending her area from another female.
Try to put something up on the window that will stop the reflection. I had a light that I would shine on that area and it would stop her for awhile. good luck. Sometimes, this behavior is hard to stop and you just have to wait it out.
Cardinals seem to do this the most. We had a male cardinal living at the side mirror on an old truck once, for several years. You'd think he would have gotten worn out, pecking at that mirror all day. When we finally sold the truck, I felt bad and almost put up a post with a mirror on it there. haha But I didn't.........
Lisk
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your explanation. I was just surpired the bird would display this behavior on different windows on all sides of the house, some windows clear and some with a dark blue curtains covering it. Again, thank you for your help.
Lisk
Related Discussions
Please help! Problems with Hoya, Bird's nest and Ivy plants
Q
Comments (11)
I have to say, your plants really do look fine. The brown on the hoya leaves is natural. That is just what happens when a leaf gets damaged. All of the damage here appears to be from leaves being bent/broken. Bumping into it, dropping it, dropping something on it. It is not from improper care, it is not contagious, it is not going to spread to other leaves. If it worries you, remove the damaged leaves, and if, by chance, the damage reoccurs, repost with clearer images. But from what I can see, your plants check out fine.
...See More
Bird poop problems
Q
Comments (3)
Since the wisteria is a huge and powerful vine unless kept diligently pruned to remain unnaturally small maybe having it wrapped around the post etc. is not going to work out anyway - and the plant should be removed. This would of course also take away the place for the birds to hang out. There are tall native conifers in this region with wisteria vines growing all the way to their tops. In time the trunks of full-sized wisteria vines become quite stout. I have also seen a big one sending out runners across the top of a bed, like a sheet of piano wire. Not really a plant for a small space in a modest setting.
...See More
Bird of Paradise problem
Q
Comments (6)
I have a few strelitzias growing in my garden. They get pretty much sun the whole day. I never water them. they only get water when it rains. It rains here from about May till October. Last year it was more than 2000 mm. If they would get water now, they will die. Thees plants are pretty slow growing. They have big roots and that keep them alive. Season greatings
...See More
Help! No birds at bird feeders? Why?
Q
Comments (8)
We have been noticing this year our feeders are not emptying as fast as previous years. I did see a lot of birds when it was snowing. A group of about 10-15 juncos, a half dozen mourning doves, the usual cardinals, chickadees, tufted titmice and a few finches along with an occasional woodpecker. The last couple of days it has been quiet out there. I asked my husband to check to see if the feeders were empty in the back. I could see there is still sunflower seed in one feeder and one was empty. He said the back feeders weren't empty but he filled them all, so we will see. I just ordered a heated pet bowl to use as a bird bath for them and I'm excited to see if they take to it. I have seen black crows in the yard this year for the first time in 30 years. I have no idea why. We do see an occasional hawk but none of late. There have been a group of 4-6 crows roosting in a neighbor's silver maple trees on some days. They would fly off and circle and land again in the trees repeatedly. Then one day I looked out the window and three of them had landed in our yard on the ground for a bit. That's a first. I keep hearing them in the neighborhood every once in awhile. I wonder what has suddenly attracted them to our neighborhood. I also wonder if they have any effect on small bird populations?
...See More
bandjzmom
15 years ago
Hi there lisk! I agree with Catherine, and this is a very common problem at this time of year. Many species of birds will do this, but Cardinals seem to be some of the worst offenders. They actually make a product called Cardinal Alert (see link below) which consists of strips of stickers to affix to your inside window to try to discourage this behavior. My sister has a female Bluebird at her house who does it and she does it non-stop. Here is a shot of her window with the Cardinal Alert stickers in place. She has had good success with the stickers. You can Google "Cardinal Alert" or "Window Alert" to find out where they are offered for sale. I am providing a link, just so that you can see the product. ~~Angie

Window Alert~~ http://www.windowalert.com/windowalert.html

My sister's window (she placed a 3rd sticker):

Here is a link that might be useful: Cardinal Alert Strips
Lisk
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, too, bandjzmom, for your valuable information. The Cardinal ALert Strips will be very helpful. I appreciate your input.
Lisk
bandjzmom
15 years ago
Welcome! I do hope that they help you.

Related Stories

EARTH DAY How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs

By Annie Thornton

Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

GARDENING GUIDES Solve 3 Common Landscape Problems — With More Plants

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense

REMODELING GUIDES The Hidden Problems in Old Houses

By Matt Clawson

Before snatching up an old home, get to know what you’re in for by understanding the potential horrors that lurk below the surface

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: How to Build a Garden in an Urban Canyon

Skyscrapers, noise and deep shade create an unlikely sweet spot for a timeless green retreat in New York City

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: Rustic Simplicity in a Country Garden

Editing thoughtfully and adding some magic result in a timeless weekend retreat

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: Sustainable Landscape Captures Runoff

An underground cistern, permeable paving and a rain garden are part of this Washington, D.C. yard's thoughtful design

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0