Has anyone else experienced occasional unwanted visits by a crow/rook (not sure what it is, and whether it is just one or more than one), wildly pecking at windows? Both Rita M and I have recently had the bird(s) visiting our windows, even the small window-panes of a door, leaving a mess and small scratches on the woodwork, probably harming themselves in the process. It seems clear that they are having a go at their own reflection. Rita and I are experimenting with various deterrents: shiny CD’s, closing the curtains, cling-film. In my case the cling-film appeared to work well whilst it was covering the affected windows for several weeks, but when I removed it a few days ago the bird(s) were back in no time! I like to think that I don’t need to cover my windows with cling-film forever, so wondered whether anyone else has successfully overcome the problem.
Saskia T
Pesky bird(s)
Sunday June 19, 2016 by Peter T
9 Responses
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The British Ornithological Trust have a useful video on distinguishing the various black corvids found in the UK (see http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-corvids ), also the RSPB offer descriptions (see http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/families/crows.aspx ).
There does seem to be more corvids about this year, I am getting lots and lots of jackdaws, a pair of magpies, occasional crows and recently a pair of Ravens visiting the garden and on the small Green where Creamery Lane and Monsdale Lane fork.
There seems to be quite a bit on the Internet on crows and ravens attacking windows, leaving scratches on the frames, and it is assumed they are fighting their reflection. The Stalking Directory focus a lot on the shotgun as a solution (see http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/18654-Ravens-pecking-windows ), though this would not be legal without appropriate licence. According to the BBC the suggested solution to an annoying crow, waking people in Allestree by tapping on their windows ( see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-23206966) is to cover the outside of the window somehow. The BBC suggest it is likely to be worse in the breeding season.
Same problem for the last three years or so, on Smithy Lane. Normally happens shortly after dawn. I make the effort to get up and shoo the miscreant away and he doesn’t return……..until the following day!
They see their reflection and become aggressive towards it thinking it is another bird Saskia.
Pamela, does your comment mean that you are following the Parwich blog from Spain?! Another example of the global reach of the blog. (Or have you moved back to the UK?).
I didn’t make it very clear in my post that I am aware that the bird is having a go at its reflection, thinking it is another bird. I had hoped that the bird would learn from its last (painful) experience – not so.
The bird must have a real headache from the force it is using to attack the reflection in the glass. Hopefully someone might come up with a suggestion for a deterrent other than the (effective) clingfilm and certainly other than a shotgun ….
This is quite easily resolved, obviously the bird is quite vain, and is wanting to groom itself, so put a mirror out on a stand and leave a comb and a brush for its personal use.
Excellent idea – I might also add a hairdryer.
I’ll give it a go and will post a picture of the result on the blog.
I’m up for anything that may divert the bird’s vicious behaviour…
On a more serious note, when I had TCS, we used to sell replica hunting birds made of plastic, ie Perigrins,Buzzards, etc birds that would naturally predate on other birds, this sometimes works, they should be found on ebay. Another way is to buy the small plastic windmills that the kids play with and site them near the problem, or thin strips of foil that will move about in the wind.
Thank you for the suggestions. I believe Rita has already tried a ‘curtain’ of thin shiny strips as well as strings with CD’s, but they haven’t been very effective, I believe. I may try a replica image of a bird-of-prey to see whether that works as the image would be a little more acceptable on my window than clingfilm. It’s fascinating though that the bird only attacks (its reflection) on the middle pane of 3 window panes, and never on the outside panes so far. Any bird psychologists in the village?
Have you tried reducing the reflection by keeping a light on behind the window? Not good for electricity bills or if it is your bedroom I know!