I Have a Mad Cardinal Attacking My Window.

I don't have a problem with birds accidentally hitting the window. I do have a Cardinal attacking my window on purpose. How do I make him stop?

This problem frequently occurs during the breeding season and can be quite distressing to people living inside the house.

If the attack on windows is a regular occurrence and not just an accidental window strike, the likely behavior is a reaction to the bird interpreting its reflection as an intruder on its territory. Cardinals are highly territorial and defend their nesting area vigorously from other male cardinals.

Both male Robins and Cardinals are well known for this type of behavior but it can occur with any bird. A simple solution to this problem is to cover the window with screens or rub the window with a bar of soap to decrease the reflection.

To increase success, interrupt the bird’s bad behavior by going outside when the bird first attacks. The objective here is to shock the bird out of its pattern of territoriality.
Good luck.

Some tips to deter bird window attacks:
• Cover the window with screens
• Shut the blinds on your windows when you are not at home and at night.
• Rub the window with a bar of soap to decrease the reflection.
• Hang balloons or Flutter Scare tape.* Anything that moves and repels the bird from that area will be effective.
• Post a hawk silhouette outside a window.* Hawks prey on birds, so their images will keep birds from flying towards your window.
• Install a window feeder.* This breaks the reflection and other birds interrupt the birds battles with himself.

*Available at Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing, MI