AboutJulia Booth Expertise I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena.
Experience I have ten years birding experience in Southern California. I am well versed in all the species living in the Western US. Many hours spent birding. I have been frequently told I should lend my knowledge to good use, and have encountered few bird related questions that I cannot answer.
Organizations Audubon Society
Education/Credentials My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
Expert: Julia Booth Date: 7/4/2008 Subject: female cardinal continually bouncing into same window pane
Question we have a female cardinal that continues to crash into the same little window pane of a multi-pane window. she sits on a railing outside and continues to run her beak into the window until we try to scare her away because we are afraid she will break her neck. I cut out a black silhouette of a larger bird in the window and it does not deter her. I wonder what we can do?
Answer I think I've answered this one before -Cardinals more than any other. They're very territorial and when they see what they assume is another bird, they attack it.
If she's not flying into the window at full speed, then it's not an issue of depth perception and it's doubtful that she'll be injured or that the silhouette will help.
Cardinals are easily distracted. Try hanging some shiny objects and maybe tiny, reflective surfaces around your garden to see if that will deter her. She is likely to stop doing it once breeding season is over anyway.
