Hey Vicky, any idea on why this mockingbird is doing this?

Posted Monday, December 31, 2012, at 9:59 AM

Mockingbird persistently attracted to van windows.

It may not be only mockingbirds but this particular bird has been worrying me by hanging around our van windows. It does not necessarily stay in the same place, nor be looking at itself but something is attracting it to our windshield, back window and now side windows.

The reason it bugs me is because it has caught the attention of our cats and they have been trying to catch it off-guard. It was parked under a wild privet that has become a tree so I moved the van farther away to give the cats less hiding area.

It seems to be looking at the edges of the window as if seeds or some food has fallen in the crack, but there is plenty of food around, so...?

Anything I can do to discourage it?

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Could it be looking for ladybugs trying to overwinter in the crack?

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Dec 31, 2012, at 9:59 AM

Let the cat out!....I have been dive bombed by mocking birds....I got one now that sits in the pear tree and dive bombs the squirrels in the yard at times.....curious, territorial, defensive critters! :)

-- Posted by chefgrape on Mon, Dec 31, 2012, at 12:27 PM

You can discourage it with a rubber snake or a shotgun.Which ever you like best.You may also try washing the van to give him a clean target.

-- Posted by kings11 on Mon, Dec 31, 2012, at 2:33 PM

A shotgun might hurt the finish.

I have seen them dive-bomb cats before but thought that was just an insane bird.

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Dec 31, 2012, at 4:18 PM

Mockinbirds did not migrate through our town last fall, due to the insidious behavior of irresponsible pranksters. They dropped barbecue flavored crumbs of bullfrog on a line from Kentucky to western Georgia. The hapless little mockingbirds were spotted over Chattanooga floundering in the air with bills open and bellies stuffed with hot and spicy bullfrog. Our town's bird watchers can rest assured our mockingbirds will not be stolen with a cheap concoction of red pepper, ketchup, tartar sauce and rubbery bullfrog. Next fall I will be dropping fried catfish crumbs marinated by Jack Daniel Black Label and red eye gravy. I am preparing crumbs of black bass and sunflower seeds sauted with 92 La Victoire Cuvees Privees white wine. This entree will be served at mockingbird rest stops on their way to our town.

-- Posted by Grits on Mon, Dec 31, 2012, at 5:45 PM

With JD in the recipe, you might feed more than mockingbirds.

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Jan 1, 2013, at 7:32 AM

Steve - sorry for the delay!

My guess is that the warmth of the sun on your windows is attracting small insects -

Does the behavior look like that might be possible?

Vicky

-- Posted by wildwoman on Sat, Jan 5, 2013, at 10:17 AM

By the way, mockingbirds are among the most territorial and aggressive songbirds there are!

-- Posted by wildwoman on Sat, Jan 5, 2013, at 10:19 AM

There are ladybugs everywhere. The LB would be prone to trying to find a crack to crawl in to hibernate, which could be the window edge, so...

-- Posted by stevemills on Sat, Jan 5, 2013, at 9:32 PM

Sounds like bonus protein in the wintertime to me!

-- Posted by wildwoman on Sun, Jan 6, 2013, at 7:49 AM

Now,I understand that hot and spicy doesn't deter birds (hence the practice of adding a bit of heat to food that squirrels might steal). But,booze could have more impact than the alcohol our avian friends are used to getting from fermented fruit and the like.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Fri, Jan 18, 2013, at 6:57 PM

Sorry, I won't share my booze. :-)

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Jan 21, 2013, at 3:48 PM

Bedford Ramblings

Steve Mills

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Steve Mills and his wife have one daughter and live on a farm outside of Bell Buckle. They previously owned two coffee/ice cream shops, currently operate an internet sales company and teach classes, but his primary job involves the paper industry worldwide. Hobbies and interests lie in gardening, photography, recorded music and of course, their pets.

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