Birding/robin? behavior

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/13/2009


Question
there have been at least 5 instances that I have witnessed where a robin (I think only specie) has pecked at my windows. sometime wall windows and others sliding glass. no insects that I can see for them to go after and it doesn't seem to be them seeing themselves as they usually go from an angle. I really don't have that many robins in my yard as we have removed the grass, but the ones around do this. Do you know what behavior this is?or why they do this?

Answer
This is natural. It is competition and they are fighting their reflection. Many birds do it. You can soap the window, put up screens or netting, and what seems to work best (short of ignoring it) is to hang strips of Mylar (a plastic film)in front of the window.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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