I have had this experience several times, particularly with male Common Yellowthroat but once even with a male turkey.  Our belief is that they are seeing their reflection and view it as a male in their territory.  Blocking the window (such as you did) with something that changes the reflection seem to work.  This is different than the strategies used to make the window apparent to flying birds.  Kay, Partridge Place in Hinesburg



















-----Original Message-----

From: Marvin Elliott <[log in to unmask]>

To: [log in to unmask]

Sent: Thu, Jul 1, 2010 9:35 am

Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Odd Bird Behavior





Jeannie and others,

nother good thing to do is to check Cornell's web site all about birds: 

ttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1184



f you follow this link they explain what is happening at your house and various 

lternatives to protect birds from window collisions.

his spring we watched a robin at a relatives house do the same thing. It is 

isturbing but probably will not harm the bird.

arv 

Marvin Elliott

utland County Audubon Society

[log in to unmask]

--- On Thu, 7/1/10, Jeannie Elias <[log in to unmask]> wrote:



rom: Jeannie Elias <[log in to unmask]>

ubject: [VTBIRD] Odd Bird Behavior

o: [log in to unmask]

ate: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 7:00 AM



nce this spring and now this summer I witnessed odd bird behavior that I am

ot sure what to think about.  It involves a bird precariously perching on

r near a window frame and then flying continually at the window panes

hemselves, as if it is trying to get in.  This Spring I saw an American

obin do it.  Over and over and over again.from perches right on the

rame..and from perches a few inches away, tapping against the second story

indow.  There were plants inside on the window sill.  So first I shut off

he lights, no change.  Then I moved the plants out of sight, no change.

inally I put a towel inside the window frame and the behavior ceased.  This

orning a Male Common Yellowthroat is doing the exact same thing, at a

ifferent window, this one on the first floor.  It has been going on for at

east 20 minutes, and since my husband saw the bird on a nearby post over

he past few days, I wonder if it has been going on for that length of time.

Any ideas on what this behavior is and whether I should be worried for the

ird?

Thanks.

Jeannie