Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/21/2008

Question
I live in PA and it's becoming seasonally Spring.  I am doing major renovation on my home.  For the past week a Robin has been agressively pecking at the same window daily.  The bird is actually distressing itself and caused itself to bleed or to completely exhaust itself where it falls to the ground and then recovers to begin pecking again at this one window.  I have never seen a bird do this? Any idea or answer to stop this bird from continuing to harm itself.  thank you

Answer
Robins and many other birds are territorial and when they establish territories in thespring they become aggressive and chase off intruders. Unfortunately, they don't distinguish between their own reflection in a window (or car mirror) and try to chase that off. The solution to the problem is to eliminate the reflection. Misting the outside of the window with a very weak detergent or soda solution will eliminate the reflection but will also impair visibility for you. Awnings, eave extensions, and window screens will eliminate all reflection and stop the collision problem. Hanging ornaments such as wind chimes, wind socks, and potted plants also help. The behavior will stop when nesting begins.