Blue tit behaviour?

[hogmother]

We have noticed for the last two days that a blue tit that is nesting in our neighbours garden has started to 'attack' the wing mirror and back window of our ford car (it is a quite bright blue) it is also flying and pecking at our kitchen window. We were concerned that it might hurt itself so covered the wing mirror with a piece of kitchen roll tied on with a shoelace and even this flapping around does not destirb it or stop this behaviour. We think it might be attacking its own reflection. Any ideas on how to stop this behaviour so that it does not harm itself would be appriciated.

[webbo3]

i think you're correct in assuming that its attacking its own reflection in the belief that its a rival on its territory, try putting an old sock over the wing mirror to cover it.

read this.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/watchingbirds/be haviour/birds_and_windows/attacking.asp


http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/watchingbirds/be haviour/birds_and_windows/index.asp


look here ..see the 2nd and 3rd ones down.

http://www.pearce-environment.co.uk/acatalog/D roll_Yankees.html

and here 1st and 2nd ones down.

http://www.birdfood.co.uk/products.php?area_id =2&nav_id=45


hope this helps.


Dave.

[two-penneth]

The mirror is easily solved but not so the back window. This does seem quite an extreme reaction. The only thing I could suggest off the top of my head is a black cut out silhouette of a flying bird of prey stuck to the car window (obviously not blocking the view). It supposedly works for patio windows and the like (and also stops people walking into them!). Experiment and see how big is has to be before it thinks twice.

[hogmother]

Great sites thanks, the window in the kitchen does have stickers in it but it is not worried by them as it is near them that he normally attacksThanks for your help. We are just a bit concerned as it seems to spend all day attacking one or the other. I like the idea of the spiders web and will probably try that on the car and kitchen window, unless I can find the owl window sticker I have got somewhere.Also the sock seems like a good idea.

[hogmother]

We seem to have stopped it attacking the kitchen window by putting a wooden owl in the window( I just hope my dogs don't attack it tonight.)

[nicbow]

Perhaps when the car is parked up cover the mirror with an old sock and ensure the back window or the car is covered. Also many birds will fly into/peck at windows, you can buy stickers etc to stop birds doing this (the RSPB will have items for sale which will also put money towards a good cause!) However, its is very common for birds to do this at this time of year, it will stop soon, and its very rare for a bird to become seriously injured from this behaviour! Best of luck!