Subject: [Tweeters] What is this bird doing?
Date: Oct 25 16:08:19 2007
From: Bob Sundstrom - ixoreus at scattercreek.com


Mary,

Is it possible the bird can see its image in the mirror when it hops from
the mirror to the window? Many birds, especially if territorial, see
reflections as potential rivals - or at least as other members of their
species - and may try to chase off the image in the mirror.

Good birding, Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: "Johnson, Mary" <MJohnson at becu.org>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 2:26 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] What is this bird doing?


My mom lives in Burien and reported the following behavior by what she
believes is either a House Finch or Purple Finch: "This bird has been
obsessing on my van for a month or so. He (or she) hops on one or the other
side view mirrors, then hops back & forth between the mirror and the window
ledge. I can't tell if it's pecking at the rubber strip around the window
(like the New Zealand keas) or if it's trying to get into the car. It
generally leaves a trail of poop down the side of the doors, and also a
certain residue of seed (hulls of millet, I believe) on the rubber strip.
Any ideas what this bird wants?" My mom has several photos of the bird
doing this, which I can forward if you email me. Thanks!

Mary Johnson
mjohnsonATbecu.org
Auburn, WA



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