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Birding/Robin attacking car

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Expert: - 6/27/2007


Question
I noticed a similar question on the website. The answer was to put the car in the garage - I don't have a garage. the answer also stated that robins claws would not scratch the paint on the car. well i whole heartedly disagree. I have a robin who is attacking my car and believe me his claws are scraching the heck out of the paint as he tries to jump on the bumpers in order to get on the trunk or the hood of the car. He is clawing the bumper to try to stay balanced in order to get on the hood or trunk any suggestions as to how I can stop him and why is he doing this? Thanks

Answer
The robin sees his reflection and thinks it is another bird, so he is portecting his territory by attacking it in order to chase it away. The only solution is to eliminate the reflection - garage or cover the car, move car from area, or soap or somehow cover the reflective areas.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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