Help, A robin is "fowling" my window.

[DawnCt]

There is a misguided, confused robin who has been trying to fly into my picture window for over a week. I think he sees his reflection and is in a mating frame of mind. He sits on the window sill and then flutters to the top of the window and back down. Sometimes he sits on the bush in front of the window and gets a flying start so he hits the window harder. He only goes away when the sun goes down but he is there by 5:30 am the next day. I have tried scaring him away, etc. The window sill is now disgusting. I have cleaned it but when this is over, it will probably have to be repainted. The window, on a daily basis is covered with birdy %$^&#$. I have washed it repeatedly. My DH wants to throw pebbles at it but I think that it would be mean. Obviously this bird should NOT reproduce. He will pass on the stupid gene. any suggestions?

 

[PandyPaws]

Try hanging a plastic garden Owl near the window...this works for me to scare those pesky birds off

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by PandyPaws
Try hanging a plastic garden Owl near the window...this works for me to scare those pesky birds off

Good idea. Don't get me wrong, I love birds, and robins, etc, but enough is enough.

 

[jamsmom]

Poor fellow!

 

[Barb]

Dawn, I'm having the same exact problem. Our Robin is at our window starting at 6:30 every morning and continues this off and on all day long. My window is a mess, the sill is (like you said) disgusting. I thought about putting an owl on the window sill, I think that sounds like a good idea! I have to get it away from the window before he breaks it. My DH said to hang some aluminum tins right in front of the window, so when he tries to fly up he hits the tins. I'll try anything at this point. I'm glad I'm not alone. Last year, we had a Cardinal flying up the back window. He's gone and now there's a Robin at the front! Good grief.

 

[piratesmate]

A few years ago I worked in a lab that large windows with white birch trees just outside. We liked to watch the birds & put a feeder in the tree. One Spring we had a finch that kept flying into the window exactly the way you are describing. One of my co-workers contacted a friend who was an expert on birds. We were told that the birds sometimes get a mite or infection (I forget which) that makes it difficult for them to see clearly & the flying into the window was typical behavior with it. After a month or so, it stopped & we assumed that the poor bird had died.

The only problem with the fake owl is that it will scare away all birds & it can take a long while after it is removed before birds will return to the area. Isn't mating season over for robins in your area? I believe it is here. If the damage to your sill is already done & you'll have to repaint anyway, you may want to consider waiting a while longer if you enjoy watching the birds out your window.

Deb

 

[perdidobay]

I had this same problem last year and someone here (Rajah maybe?) suggested hanging a suncatcher in the window, that worked for me.

 

[Robin]

I think this thread should be locked. I take great offense that any of you would feel that Robin's are stupid.

 

[DisneyJules]

Don't throw pebbles at him, that's just cruel.
Something like a hanging ornament in the middle of the window isn't such a bad idea, we have the same problem with our windows at the front of the house. If you really can't get rid of him, there must be some sort of wild life hotline you can call, or even the humane society who will remove him.

 

[*Robin*]

Originally posted by Robin
I think this thread should be locked. I take great offense that any of you would feel that Robin's are stupid.

YEP!! I'll second that!!

How about, now I know this sounds a bit odd, but either smear the window with a harmless substance that makes it non reflective. OR, put cat litter near the area. Either way, it may work. Also may try windchimes in front of the window temporarily.

Just an idea...


Robin

 

[JESW]

I had to laugh when I read this! If you check under my name you'll see that we have 9 (yes, nine) pet birds. Right now our youngest male cockatiel is IN LOVE with the mirror in our bathroom and will BITE us if we try to take him away from his special friend. There is a reason for the saying BIRD BRAIN

I think the best thing would be to block your window somehow so he can't see his reflection. Once he thinks "she" is gone he should go too. Mating season shouldn't last too much longer. In our case it seems to go on and on. So funny to see Ziggo puff himself all up and talk sweet talk to the mirror.

Good luck!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

robins are NOT stupid. robins are beautiful.


I like the suncatcher idea.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Briar Rose 7457
robins are NOT stupid. robins are beautiful.


I like the suncatcher idea.

They are beautifully stupid. Not all robins of course, just this one. I have lots of robins in my yard. Why hasn't he noticed them?

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

My parents had the same problem. My dad hung some Halloween stuff in the window including a large scarecrow and it didn't work. He finally hung plastic sheeting over the window on the outside and it did the trick.