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csziggy

(34,120 posts)
Tue Apr 14, 2015, 10:55 AM Apr 2015

A bluebird wants inside my house!

We have a bluebird nest about 50 feet below the house and normally they are happy living there. But this morning there has been one male bluebird flying at the windows and hanging off the screen in the library where I spend most of my time.

One window, the one he started flying at first, doesn't have a screen on it. I took it out last summer when our house air conditioner was out of service so we could put a window unit in. Since the mesh needs to be replaced, we didn't put the screen back in. At first I thought the bluebird was trying to eat the spiders that live on that window, but he doesn't seem to be doing that.

He keeps flying back and forth between various windows and the trees near the house. Now he's brought a buddy - I can't tell if it's another male or a female.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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A bluebird wants inside my house! (Original Post) csziggy Apr 2015 OP
I have cardinals that do that. MuseRider Apr 2015 #1
As dirty as the window is, I'm not sure if it's reflective csziggy Apr 2015 #3
Aha! Just got a good look at BOTH birds! csziggy Apr 2015 #4
Boids shenmue Apr 2015 #2
He sees his reflection in the window Curmudgeoness Apr 2015 #5
I don't own any hairspray - too much perfume in it to allow it near me csziggy Apr 2015 #6

MuseRider

(34,060 posts)
1. I have cardinals that do that.
Tue Apr 14, 2015, 11:00 AM
Apr 2015

Put something in or on the window if you can. Usually this is a case of territory protection. They see their reflection and think it is another bird. I have never seen 2 at a time do this however so I really don't know what is going on. Try to reduce the reflection on the windows they are worried about and see if that changes.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
3. As dirty as the window is, I'm not sure if it's reflective
Tue Apr 14, 2015, 11:13 AM
Apr 2015

That was the other reason to leave the screen off - so we could wash the window. Which, of course, has not happened. That's why my first thought was he was going after the spiders that live on the window.

I turned off the TV that is next to that window and left the room for a while and he wasn't here when I came back - whups, he just flew by but didn't hang out at the window.

Maybe he doesn't like the TV shows I was watching? No, he's flying at the window again and hanging off the screen.

Got to leave for a while. Will be back later!

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
4. Aha! Just got a good look at BOTH birds!
Tue Apr 14, 2015, 11:15 AM
Apr 2015

One is an immature bluebird male, the other a Carolina wren. The wren has a nest in one of the porch chairs and she must be defending against the bluebird. That doesn't explain why the bluebird is coming up on the porch - they are not usually predatory - but it explains some of the flying action I'm seeing.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
5. He sees his reflection in the window
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:41 PM
Apr 2015

even if you think it is too dirty. This will go on for a couple of weeks while he is staking out territory around the nest. Once there are eggs in the nest, he should not be as conspicuous.

If you are willing, the easiest thing to do is spray the window with hair spray. That makes it non-reflective. It will look like hell from the inside, but it is only necessary for a short period of time.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
6. I don't own any hairspray - too much perfume in it to allow it near me
Thu Apr 16, 2015, 11:55 PM
Apr 2015

Maybe I can get my husband to put the screen back on the window - but they are still hanging off the windows with screens and off the window on the front door!

The bluebirds are mating - there is now a female or two hanging around as well as at least two males. Goody - we'll have even more of them acting goofy next year!

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