Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/1/2009

Question
I have a robin who pecks and flutters at my windows. This has been going on since the end of April. There is a nest at the side of my house. What can I do to stop this behavior? The robin starts this early in the morning and it continues most of the day.

Answer
Robins 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 ends.