Strange behaviour - chaffinch

[counterlady]

I have just witnessed some strange behaviour from a Chaffinch (Male). He was jumping back and forth from the car window to the car side mirror. When I investigated closer he was flapping up against the mirror. He was doing this for over an hour until I had to leave for work. I dont think my husband will be pleased through because when i've looked at the car window it has lots of scratches on it!! oops - Has anyone every experienced this before!!!

[shaun a]

It will be annoyed with his own reflection, he thinks it is a rival male and he wants him off his territory

[Pigeon feather]

I've never experienced it but heard of it many times, in the breeding season males get very territorial and if they see any other males of their own species, even reflections of themselves, they will become aggressive and try to drive it away and this is what the chaffinch was doing have heard reports of robins and blackbirds doing this too and I'm sure it applies to many others!

[counterlady]

Wow isn't mother nature amazing. The poor thing must have a serious headache. I'll have to cover the mirrors up when I park up after work the windows cant take much more and I dont want this little chappy worrying about his territory.
Thanks for your replies much appreciated.

[Ne!l]

I haven't seen chaffinches doing this but we have a similar problem in our street but with crows. Most cars here now have drain pipes covering the windscreen wipers and a while ago we all had bags over the the mirrors. The crows used to "attack" the windows and mirrors but they have now moved onto the wipers and bumpers. Darn things! They make a right old mess and have destroyed numerous wiper blades.