Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I live in a Deck House - post & Beam contemporary with lots of floor-to-ceiling glass. We've had trouble off and on with birds, who apparently look straight through the house, don't see the glass,and crash into the windows. Somethimes just knocked out briefly, sometimes dead of a broken neck. This year, I'm dealing with a forlorn woodpecker. Seems to be lost. Fltters endlessly against the windows, moving around the entire perimeter of the house. Never moves away more than a few inches then raps his head and/or beak into the glass; repeat; repeat; repeat ad nauseum. Has the same issue a few years ago with a robin, but only involving one window. Tried plastic owls, suspended CDs, and, eventually, nettting (DO NOT USE NETTING, unless you enjoy removing dead birds entagled in netting, or looking at dead birds suspended outside your bedroom). Any insights into bird behavior? I'm getting downright tired of Woody...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 If there is some sort of bird rescue center in your area give them a call and ask for help. Also, Cornell has a fantastic ornithology program. You might shoot them an email describing the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I used the Mylar strips that they use in orchards and groves to keep woodpeckers away from my house. It works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Call your State Conservation Department. They may be able to trap it and relocate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 12Ga. Keep it next to yer Sofa. Next time that PITA sucker starts bumping the window, blow it to smithereens. Then replace the now "open" window. Simple. Snicker Snicker Snicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 14 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: 12Ga. Keep it next to yer Sofa. Next time that PITA sucker starts bumping the window, blow it to smithereens. Then replace the now "open" window. Simple. Snicker Snicker Snicker Protected species, as are ALL native birds!! Large fines and jail time are possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kloehr Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 He is probably seeing his reflection in the glass, and trying to drive the "intruder" out of his territory. Somewhat unusual at this time of year though. Have a read here for ideas: https://www.thespruce.com/stop-birds-attacking-windows-386449 Soaping the windows might be a good experiment, and maybe the bird will forget his "challenger" and move on. Then clean up the windows in a week or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I'm fairly certain Loophole still has a sense of humor, even of others had theirs surgically removed at birth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Try hanging CDs near the windows so they twist in the breeze. T'he flair of the disc keeps the birds clear here.\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamus McGillicuddy Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 7 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: 12Ga. Keep it next to yer Sofa. Next time that PITA sucker starts bumping the window, blow it to smithereens. Then replace the now "open" window. Simple. Snicker Snicker Snicker Such an overreaction there, CC. 28 gauge max should do it for a woodpecker. Seamus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 its either gay or protecting its territory , sadly relocation might work but they tend to remember - even when what they remember is gay or irrational fight complex , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 On 11/1/2020 at 3:10 AM, Blackwater 53393 said: Protected species, as are ALL native birds!! Large fines and jail time are possible. ....... protected, but not armour plated ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Business Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Woodpecker was pecking away on my house despite all the trees around. Good shot with the garden hose cured it right quick. He was not hurt and stayed away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I had a MAJOR problem with 'peckers the last place I lived. Heck, one morning I was awakened by EIGHT of the boogers pounding away on the eaves. I patched a lot of holes... eventually I had a good portion of the parts they liked covered with sheet metal. They finally decided they didn't like that. I unintentionally took one out with Sassparilla Kid's Daisy Red Ryder. Evidently he'd gotten locked in the garage (the woodpecker, not the Kid)... I walked in one day carrying the kid's BB gun and suddenly he - the woodpecker - flew right at my face! I yelped and instinctively swung that li'l gun and Louisville Slugger'd his rotten carcass. I didn't see where he went, and actually thought he'd gotten pi$$ed and flew away. But I found him a few months later behind some boxes... 'Twas self defense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 ..... yeah, .... sure it was ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 A friend mounted a few mouse traps on his house that was affected by a woody. His pecking caused the traps to snap and problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finagler 6853 Life Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I had a robin do that on one of our windows that had a tree just outside of it. He went after it so hard he bloodied himself. All we could figure out was that there was a next in the tree and he could see his reflection and tried to chase away the "intruder". Had woodpeckers start to drill holes in the wood trim of the house. It is cedar so the only thing I can figure is that there were bugs under the boards he was after. I filled holes, put up wire mesh to keep them away. It works fairly well. One still comes back once in a while and pecks at the vinyl siding. Stupid birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Howdy, My place has a big picture window in front and another in back. Birds can see directly thru and think they can fly thru. I just keep the curtains closed most of the summer during daytime. This also cuts down on ac cost, probably.... Birds still try to fly thru sometimes. I found out some are trying to escape from predators. I put out a suet block to feed woodpeckers. They seem to leave the house alone, at least for now. So, yes, Im suggesting feeding the birds. It might distract them from the house. If you give it a try and it doesnt work you arent out much. Simple feeders are pretty inexpensive. Sometimes I see very pretty birds migrating too. Best CR Indigo buntings came by a couple years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I put suet blocks out here as well. Get small wood pecker's, Downies and Hairy's, plus a medium size one( Red Belly). A few nut hatch's as well. Nice to see as long as the raccoons leave them alone. Have had coons actually take the suet cages away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Put a owl or hawk profile on the window cut out of a piece of brown construction paper, better yet put three or four out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Jack Calder Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 7 hours ago, Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 said: I put suet blocks out here as well. Get small wood pecker's, Downies and Hairy's, plus a medium size one( Red Belly). A few nut hatch's as well. Nice to see as long as the raccoons leave them alone. Have had coons actually take the suet cages away We get the same birds. That is very interesting. We had problems with squirrels eating the suet. They would stay until it was all gone. Now I buy suet with pepper in it. The birds don’t mind. Some people say they can’t taste the pepper. The squirrels don’t like the pepper and leave the suet alone. BUT they quickly detect suet without pepper and return. Anyway try the pepper suet for the Raccoons. CJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 Thanks for the tip,CJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 I solved the stealing by using spring clips u-nailed to the post. Cages are suspended by wire loops, just clip the loop. Ole bandit can't make off with it. They still manage to get the cake to bust up even with the cages wired shut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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