This spring a mockingbird, robin or cardinal may go mad in your neighborhood. Because birds don’t understand reflections, many of them hit windows in flight and some attack car mirrors and windows. They don’t realize that the angry bird who won’t back down is a reflection of themselves.
Mockingbirds are relentless and will do this all year long. Robins and cardinals reserve their attacks for the breeding season.
Above and in the video below, a northern mockingbird goes after a car mirror.
This American robin attacked the shiny kick plate on Charlie Hickey’s front door in 2013.
And this cardinal checks his reflection in the car window before he bops the guy in the mirror.
Though some birds become obsessed with particular locations it’s a temporary problem while they’re establishing their territory. Unfortunately the obsession could last for weeks!
If you have a problem bird, cover the reflection for a few days so the bird can’t see itself and he’ll go away. I covered my side mirrors with plastic grocery bags to convince a robin to give up. Massachusetts Audubon has some helpful tips. So does The Spruce.
(photo by Peggy Sherman and Charlie Hickey; videos from YouTube)
I have a cardinal in my neighborhood who attacks car mirrors all year round. One neighbor was getting upset with this cardinal so he bought an owl to put on his car. It worked so now the cardinal is going after the other cars 6 in total that are parked in driveways and on the street.
Karen, that made me laugh out loud!
Cover the mirrors: mirror mate mitts .net
Are starlings known to do this? I had a bird attacking my window the other night when it was almost dark out and thought that’s what it looked like.
Laura, starlings probably do it too