DEAR JOAN: We have a robin that flies into our bedroom slider every morning and afternoon, starting at 5 a.m. It has happened in the spring for the last few years but stops the rest of the year. We suspect he sees his reflection and is trying to scare another bird away.
We have tried scare tape on poles, rubber snakes on the step, ceramic frogs on the step and strings tied (with scare tape) from the eaves to a pole floating just above the ground. All to no avail. Nothing on the inside of the window has stopped him either.
Is this the same bird every year? Has he taught his youngsters? Why hasn’t he figured it out yet, given the number of times he’s smashed his head into our window? How else can we stop this bird brain? We don’t want to block the outside of the window with anything permanent or something that won’t allow light into the only window in the room.
— R. and D., Moraga
DEAR R. and D.: Although it is mating season, this might not be a case of territorial angst. It sounds more like your sliding glass door is reflecting the surrounding landscape and fooling the bird – or birds – into believing they are flying through the air, not into the glass.
Good news, though. Whether the American robin is seeing himself or the landscape, the solution is the same. You need to make the window less reflective.
There are a number of ways to do that. For a temporary, seasonal fix, you can put screens over the glass, soap the window, use tempera paints to either cover the glass or create patterns or shapes or apply vinyl stickers. (The stickers need to be close to each other and spread throughout the entire window.)
For something more permanent, you can purchase products that cut the reflections without obscuring views or blocking the light. Find more information on these at the American Bird Conservancy site or visit a local store that specializes in bird feeders, baths, food and bird safety.
Only about 40 percent of the nests will see successful hatching and fledging, which causes the robin population to completely turn over in six years. It’s possible you’re seeing the same bird, but probably not. Robins can live up to 14 years, but not many do.
DEAR JOAN: We at Project HumaneKind are wondering if you would mention our contest in your weekly column. Project HumaneKind is a relatively new nonprofit organization on the Peninsula devoted to humane education.
The contest is open to all seventh and eighth graders in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Essays should be no more than 1,000 words. Deadline for entries is April 30. The winner will receive $500, and two runners-up will each get $200.
Find more information and submit essays at projecthumanekind.org.
— Leonor Delgado, advisor, Project HumaneKind
DEAR LEONOR: Sounds like my kind of contest, blending my two biggest loves, animals and writing.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.