A Blackbird without a song but a dance to get into our bedroom!

[leonard]

Firstly, a big hello to all you positive wildlife enthusiasts! Are there any Blackbird experts out there? Ashamedly, I have to admit, although I love our little feathered friends, I am a complete novice in the behaviours of all birds! Want to learn fast! I and my partner are in a spot of bother concerning a black songster! For the last 3 weeks, every morning at around 06.30 this little blighter, assumedly female, (no yellow beak or yellow ring around the eyes?) is artfully trying to gain access to our bedroom! At least it would appear so. She perches on our balcony, seemingly studying us through our veil like curtains and then proceeds to fly at the window/door and peck aggressively! Mysteriously, there is no singing whilst these performances continue. Ok, it´s Spring, so I guess this is all related to the mating season. Does she see us as a threat? Does she see herself in the reflection and think it is an interloper? Why the same time every morning? We are obviously in the desired location? Starts to get personal! I thought that Blackbirds like to nest in low-land, in bushes etc. So why fly to our 1st floor and fly against our windows? Of course we´ve left out food for her and even built a nest in proximity to her arrival positions; but alas....they are ignored! We do have cats and are a little concerned about the safety of these birds! Our cats are expert climbers up the balcony with a little help from our house being covered in wood. Could this be related? Is our little bird friend aware of this? Up till now there has been no balcony skirmishes between cat and bird. Phew..we are really at a loss!! We love to have visits although the time of day is a little too early for us but we are freaking because we don´t understand it´s needs! I´ve done some research and cannot find relevant material covering this particular phenomenon! Basically....HELP!! I came across this forum and apologise if this kind of question asking is not really fitting ie. ignorant and time-wasting! Sorry! It seems to be one of the best on the net so I´ve taken a chance that maybe somebody out there is patient enough to gives us a gentle, guiding hand! I thank you for your time and perhaps if anybody has some theories we would of course be very appreciative! Sending you all the best of wishes from Austria! Cheers!

[outdoorguy]

Not Completely Sure Why But I'd Say The Reflection.. Very Teritorial This Time Of Year.. All I Can Think Of To Stop It Is Put Food There To Distract It.. But I May Atrract More Birds??.. I Reakon This Will Work Tho.. James

[Dan Salter]

Hi Leonard.

I am going to say reflection as well. I have witnissed this behaviour for about 2 weeks solid every day by a blackbird that was constantly jumping up and pecking at its own reflection in a garden mirror in the neighbours garden. I would do it for hours on end and i became very worried as it didnt seem to go off to feed and must have been exhausted and had a headache so the neighbours kindly covered the mirror and it stopped. Its a territorial thing and the bird thinks the reflection is a threat or competition or maybe a possible mate?. I have known of smaller birds do this on car wingmirrors as well.

My only suggestion is to temporarily hang maybe some sheets or something on the OUTSIDE of your window so there is no glass to mirror the bird?

And dont appologise for coming on the forum and asking for help it is what we are here for

p.s...with regard for why it does it at the same time (6:30am) every day i can only think the sun is in a certain position at that point...but im not sure it would affect the reflection?

[Blackbrook Eye]

Hi Leonard, Welcome to WAB. The birds do seem to get up to peculiar antics at this time of the year, if it attacking your window is proving a nuicence to you, might I suggest that you tape a layer of bubble wrap over the general area of glass for a few days, that way if the bird is attracted by its own reflection this should cure the problem, it will not harm the bird or reduce the light into your bedroom to any great extent and it can easily be removed when appropriate.

[leonard]

Hello again! Thanks for your helpful advices! Strangely this morning, our persistent little friend didn´t turn up! The first time in weeks! Or maybe appeared but remained quiet. We slept on! We managed to find a nearly transparent like drapery to hang over our balcony door thus enabling light to come in and seemingly dulling any reflection. Either this worked or our birdy didn´t take too kindly to the new publicity it´s been receiving! Whatever the case, I´m holding my breath and hope I can exhale tomorrow, too. Thanks again, wishing you all many happy Spring days, bye for now, Leonard.