Would you like to stop birds from window pecking?
A bird pecking at your windows isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In a lonely world, a feathered friend pecking at your window might be the most wondrous sound.
Then again, for many other people, it can be an irritation, and they dive into research about how to stop birds from window pecking.
The truth is, when a bird is pecking at your window, it isn’t really looking for a cheerful wave from you! It also isn’t trying to tell you that you’ve forgotten to put out its seed, although there are some birds that might well do this.
No, most times when a bird pecks at your window there are usually other reasons.
Stop Birds From Window Pecking – Why Do Birds Window Peck?
Birds that are particularly guilty of window pecking are doves, robins, goldfinches, sparrows, and cardinals.
However, the degree of “pecking” aggression will vary from bird to bird and across different bird species.
Many bird lovers like to imagine that birds are pecking at their windows because they know you’re their provider and they want to tell you that you haven’t put out their daily food ration.
The truth of the matter is, the reason birds are pecking at your windows is that they’re being territorial.
Birds can exhibit striking territorial behaviors.
Birds can become even more territorial during the mating and nesting season. Sometimes they see the reflection of other birds or even themselves in the window and they peck aggressively at the window pane, wanting to take on the bird they see there.
You may even see the bird displaying various intimidating, aggressive behavior to bully the ‘window bird’ to move away.
The incessant tapping can drive some people crazy – but never bird lovers mind you. 😉 But still, it can be distressing and so it can be a relief to discover that there are ways to decrease the likelihood of this bird-tapping behavior around your home.
We’ve all witnessed a bird accidentally flying into a window, so some of the methods to prevent these kinds of collisions are also used to deter birds from pecking at windows. The idea is to somehow break up the reflection the bird sees in the window.
Lets take a look at some ways to deter birds from pecking at your windows
How To Stop Birds From Window Pecking
Close your shutters, blinds, or curtains
If you want to stop birds from window pecking, you can close your shutters, blinds, or curtains. This may not suit some people who feel claustrophobic with everything closed up, Even though it may not be ideal, for those who don’t mind, ‘shutting up’ can be a deterrent.
Place a decoy predatory bird on the window sill
If you want to stop birds from window pecking, you can buy a decoy predatory bird from your local nursery. Believe me, it can be a very effective way to scare birds away from a certain area.
Keep in mind that birds are quite intelligent and so can easily become accustomed to seeing the decoy owl in the same position. Therefore, just make sure to move the position of a decoy owl or other predatory bird every other day.
Install attractive canvas awnings over ‘troublesome’ windows
This usually does the trick, as the awnings removes some of the shadows that can be a problem with birds. A very effective way to stop birds from window pecking!
Cover the windows with film to reduce reflections
Window film even comes in different patterns and it’s a great way to reduce reflections. These days they are so artistic you can even add a bit of interest to a window.
Some adhesive window films make installation a breeze – simply peel back the protective paper and attach the film to the interior side of a clean, dry window. Smooth the film out nicely and then cut any excess fil off with the use of a razor blade.
Place tall plants or shrubs on the ground below or in front of the window sill
The plants will obscure the window sill from the birds, deterring them from using it as a landing platform.
Use decal or window graphics
These can be a more attractive solution to stop birds from window pecking. Window clings make use of suction to stay in place. They’re a cool option because you can move them around as you like.
Decals are a more permanent solution than window clings. They have an adhesive on one side. Once you’ve positioned them on your window pane, they can’t be repositioned.
How about perforated decals?
These are a great choice. In fact, many retail stores use them. The decals act like a see-through surface, so you can look through the windows from where you are inside.
Most of us have seen these kinds of decals on cars. They’re stuck on car windows while allowing the driver to still see through the window. For your home windows, they still provide a view outside while being a deterrent for your feathered friends.
How about frosted graphics?
Maybe your pecking-at-the-window bird friends can be a blessing in disguise for you. This is because in looking for a solution to deter the pecking, you may have come up with a useful means of adding privacy to your home.
Frosted decals give you the look of frosted glass and are an excellent way to provide your room with privacy while you are still able to look out.
In addition to home window pecking, you might also be annoyed when birds peck your car’s side mirror. The bird droppings down the side of your car, that the birds so lovingly provide you with as they perch on the mirror, are definitely a pain.
This problem can be easily solved by simply covering the mirror while your car is parked outside.
A world without birds? Toooooooo terrible to contemplate
As bird lovers, we need to understand that birds will sometimes show aggression during the breeding season and they’re merely shooing away rival birds that they see reflected in your window.
Without being cruel or mean, try and block whatever the bird uses
(And speaking of windows… you can zoom in our fine feathered friends from the comfort of your home with a great pair of binoculars.
I have large casements in my tree-top breakfast room, and on a beautiful day, I sometimes crank them open and use my binoculars to deeply peer into the trees, scouting for birds. Make sure that you check out our top 4 recommendations for the best binoculars for eyeglass wearers.)
