here anyway the red wings build a nest close to the ground usually where there are many upright stems close to water. they weave between stems a large nest of fibers grass stems and soft bark and leaves and even strips of bark and then line the nest with dry grass. the males get very defensive when the female is nesting and will attack almost anything or anybody who gets close to the nest. here most of the females raise two broods from early spring to late spring the males after nesting season flock together and leave mid summer to fall for warmer climates. the females stay with the young ones till they can fly and take care of them selves.

If you have seen or heard of raptors in your new area, then I would heed the caution mentioned by previous posts and be careful. As a small animal veterinarian, I see the results of raptor attacks occasionally. The worst seem to occur at night, likely from Great Horned Owls. I say likely, because most owners do not see the attack, even though they may be nearby when it occurs. The owl swoops in, tries to take down the small dog, and then is either successful or not. The resulting talon injuries can be significant, but in a dog the size of yours, are usually not fatal. I have heard of fatal attacks of very tiny dogs by Bald Eagles, either from attack or from being carried off. We, too, see many serious attacks by coyotes and wolves, which sound like they would be less of a risk in your new neighborhood. Best advice is to stay with your pets when outside at night, and consider a good yard light to help discourage sneak attacks.

Often times, birds attack a window because they see their reflection in it, and think it's an intruder (rival male, etc.). They dive-bomb it, and are surprised when they crash into the window. One thing I've had some luck with is to cut out the silhouette of a hawk and tape it to your window (you can probably buy this from some of the mail-order pest control companies). The hawk shape instinctively causes fear and a reverse in course by most birds. The down-side is that if your feeder is next to this window, you'll probably drive away a lot of your desired birds. Perhaps you can put a window treatment on the glass, to reduce its reflectivity? That shouldn't repel the birds...just prevent them from thinking their territory is being invaded. Hope this helps.

They are attacking their competitors for the females reflected in the windows. I've had them do it for weeks some years. My only consolation was thinking they were too busy going after themselves in the windows that they likely didn't find any time to mate...and pass on the stupid gene. Depending on the window location, for both robins and woodpeckers (pecking on the house), I've had good luck with a mylar helium filled balloon - if you can get it to float in front of the window...or anything that flutters in the breeze will spook them away. One year I put curling ribbon streamers, thumbtacked above the windows. Worked great until I came home one day and he had pulled them all down to use in embellishing his nests, trying to impress his mate. (apparently, the male robin builds the nests and often builds several prototypes hoping one will entice a female to lay her eggs in it. Or you can try an inflatable owl you can get at a marine supply store. Good luck!