Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Geezer on 06/05/2011 18:16:06

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Geezer on 06/05/2011 18:16:06

A headbanger bird (actually a Rufus-sided Towhee  http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/rufoustowhee.htm ) keeps attacking my office window. Presumably it is mistaking its reflection for a competitor.

I even have a large plastic owl looking out the window, but the towhee is undeterred.

Help!

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: SeanB on 06/05/2011 19:53:31

I know how you feel, look up a Crested Lourie and it's call, especially when you have just come off night shift.........

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Airthumbs on 07/05/2011 06:18:29

Cut out a silhouette of a bird of prey and attach it to your window, jobs a gooden :)

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: imatfaal on 07/05/2011 08:31:32

Brick up the window!  If that is a little too extreme; perhaps a window box with plants that will break up the reflection, strong light from inside to make reflection less obvious, put Wol on the outside window-ledge (if there is enough reflection to attack there may be too little transmission to scare) , or for a more permanent solution - a cat.   

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Geezer on 07/05/2011 17:54:25

Thanks for all the help everyone  [::)]

I wonder if the old trick they use in the theatre on mirrors would work? I think they coat them with soap or Vaseline.

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: imatfaal on 08/05/2011 10:20:08

Quote from: Geezer on 07/05/2011 17:54:25

Thanks for all the help everyone  [::)]

I wonder if the old trick they use in the theatre on mirrors would work? I think they coat them with soap or Vaseline.

Geyser - very bad luck to have a mirror on stage.  And I think this is a tradition with roots in common sense (I had a bad dose of thespianism at university); they play havoc with the lights and distract actors and audience alike, stuff on stage will always get broken if it is breakable, and many civilians fear the seven-years bad luck but actors will take stuff like that to extremes - so you just don't take the risk.

Apart from that - a very thin layer of vaseline will do the trick (as the actress said to the bishop) but will look messy and a bit weird from inside.  I know they can be a little annoying but what about a wind charm /aeolian harp - quite attractive and might again stop the silly thing from spotting its reflection

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Airthumbs on 30/06/2011 00:46:02

So did you find a way to stop this poor little birdie without ending its life?

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Geezer on 30/06/2011 01:28:30

I have not seen it for a while. I think it's a mating season thing - it probably thinks its reflection is a rival. Hopefully it found a mate and is now living in domestic tranquility  [:D]

However, a tiny little wren has taken up residence in the same spot, but it doesn't do the window whacking thing too much.

BTW - speaking of birds, we have some incredibly small humming birds here at the moment. They are about the size of my little finger. It's quite amazing to watch them zipping around.

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Don_1 on 30/06/2011 09:48:43

All these wonderful birds, you should think yourself lucky. All we get here are screeching Starlings and Woody Woodpigeon.

The neighbour's cat ate the local Robin (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fangry1%2F25.gif&hash=c51f0212704b487297978e91889a03de)

The tree the Tits used to nest in has been chopped down (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fangry1%2F16.gif&hash=4f825f8d6649b7ff2130825f83a9ab79)

The pair of Blackbirds, which have been here every summer for many years, have either buggered off, or also fallen victim to some moth eaten moggy (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fangry1%2F15.gif&hash=73cbf409cbf752fc9dcc1513e97eb13e)

And I'm lucky to see a Sparrow once or twice a year (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fangry1%2F8.gif&hash=b4d7d5a0f2723814fc476220d825efb1)

We do have a lot of Swifts, but they're too high and fast to be appreciated and the Collard Parakeets whizz past on their way to/from their roost to their feeding grounds, so we don't get much of a look at them.

The birds of the non-feathered variety seem to steer clear (wonder why? (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fclueless%2F4.gif&hash=f00440ed063dab2715b1fead07d25a78)) So the only tasty birds around here are the chickens......... and they are Tandoori style! (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Feating1%2F7.gif&hash=b651af108de81ddd3124a42bd205a5f7)

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Geezer on 01/07/2011 03:59:24

There were young twin fawns browsing just outside my window this morning, but by the time I found my camera, they scampered off.

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: CliffordK on 01/07/2011 08:51:45

What I was visiting my Mother the other day, I noticed some strips of plastic bags attached to her back porch wall with thumbtacks. 

Then I noticed some very deep holes pecked in the door molding.  I'll have to ask her how effective the plastic bags are.

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: RD on 15/07/2011 20:15:31

So much for being the embodiment of wisdom ...

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fl.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres%2F1.2%2F6inPxjOUySSyiUQA.G2zWQ--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zMzA7cT04NTt3PTUwMA--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_uk%2FNews%2Fpressass%2FUKNews110720111230589-1.jpg&hash=0f46ef330a22f9217bacee36a2aac9c2)

http://www.pressassociation.com/component/pafeeds/2011/07/11/window_crash_owl_leaves_imprint?camefrom=graphics (http://www.pressassociation.com/component/pafeeds/2011/07/11/window_crash_owl_leaves_imprint?camefrom=graphics) 

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Airthumbs on 16/07/2011 02:00:38

Poor birdy!  Still I bet the mark it left scared all the other little birdies away..  [;D]

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Geezer on 16/07/2011 02:43:10

Quote from: Airthumbs on 16/07/2011 02:00:38

Poor birdy!  Still I bet the mark it left scared all the other little birdies away..  [;D]

You'd think, but I doubt it. I've got a fake owl looking out my window right now. The little ****ards flat out ignore it. If I put it outside, I'm reasonably confident they would crap all over it.

Title: How can I stop this @#$%^& bird?
Post by: Airthumbs on 16/07/2011 17:36:36

Maybe the birdies are not a stupid as we think and they know that the owl can't get them cos it's behind the glass.  Honestly if you just put a silhouette of a bird of prey that will do the job.  The shape of the tail is the most important part as non birds of prey are born with an innate fear of this.

I am pretty sure you know what kinds of birds of prey you get round your area, just use one of those. I got the following image from the nps.gov website for Hawkwatch.


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I would be interested if this does the job as it is supposedly underpinned by scientific research.