Expert: Roger Lederer - 2/5/2009

Question
Last spring a male red bird started trying to get into the back patio door.  This went on for a few months and then the female showed up and started the same thing.  It is now February of the next year and he is still after it.  He attacks the door starting early and never letting up.  This morning I was looking out of my bedroom window, and he was out there attacking my car.  He was hitting the drivers door just like he hits the back door.  The female was with him, just following him around.  Why is he so intent on getting in the house, and now my car?

Answer
Must be a Cardinal. He is not trying to get in your house.
Cardinals and many other birds are territorial and when they establish territories in the spring 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.