Chaffinch lost its bearings.....

[googler]

Disturbed by a knocking noise from downstairs yesterday, I wandered through the house, and eventually traced it to the kitchen, where a Chaffinch was repeatedly flying at, and bouncing off, the window.

Pulling the blind down seemed to convince it that our kitchen wasn't the place to be, and it stopped.

Fast forward to earlier today, and I hear the same noise again - this time from the en-suite window. One floor up, and on another side of the house!

No blind on this window, so taped an old newspaper up, and again, that seemed to convince Mr Chaffinch that his route lies elsewhere.

Any theories/thoughts?

[RoyW]

Perhaps Mr Chaffinch is trying to see off a 'rival' from his chosen breeding territory?
Some birds have been know to attack their reflections thinking them to be an intruder than won't back down after the usual threat posturing (imagine how angry you'd get if your rival matched every posture you made!).

[googler]

I see another contributor has observed the same, with 'their' chaffinch going for the car mirrors....

However, today - the collared dove was showing the same behaviour, at the same window......

[Jason Green]

Morning Googler,

You must just be very popular! I agree with Roy - it'll incidentally have caught sight of it's reflection, then assumed it to be another male in his territory so it's 'seeing him off'...

Anything you can put up to minimise reflection will help, and this will only happen during the breeding season.

Take care,

Jason