Calling all bird experts

[Cougarfan]

The weather here in Oregon is beautiful this weekend. Sunny and in the 70's so I decided to run my truck through the car wash yesterday. After about 20 minutes being parked at home, I had to wash it again. Today, I will have to wash it again.

Here is my problem. There is a Robin that has pooped all over it. I was watching the bird a few minutes ago and it was jumping up and smashing itself into the chrome bumper. It also gets up on the door on the ledge at the bottom of the window and pecks at the glass while pooping down the side of the door. On both sides of the truck. It also gets on the hood and pecks on that.

Why is the bird doing this? What can I do to stop it?

I would appreciate any and all advice because I'm getting tired of washing my truck over and over again. I know bird poop is not good on the finish of the vehicle so don't want to leave it there to be baked on by the sun. I also don't want the paint damaged due to the pecking on the hood.

Thank you in advance,

Laura

[JudyJB]

It is apparently looking at itself or that "other bird" in shiny places. Maybe looking for a mate since this is mating season?

You might try covering up the shiny things with towels or a sheet, short term. Long term, they sell hawk cutouts you can put on the windows and grill while you are parked. Supposedly the bird will not want to be around a predator. Most of these cutouts are cardboard to tape inside, but you might want to get a couple of sets laminated for outdoor use and just tape them on your windows and such when parked in your yard.

Some people put out plastic owls, but I don't think they are effective. People also hang out these shiny icicle things that twist in the wind that are supposed to scare off birds, but I don't know how well those work either. They use them in vineyards to keep birds from eating the grapes or pooping all over them as they are growing.

Hopefully, this bird will find a real mate and start sitting on a nest or something soon and fall out of love with your truck.

[Cougarfan]

Thanks Judy. My Mom and I just did a little detective work in the yard and found a nest with 3 babies in a bush right by the front door. It appears that the bird was protecting the nest from the "predator" she saw in the reflection. I moved my truck and we closed the front door. She immediately started pecking on the ground where my truck was parked and then flew into the nest. So, I was either parked on top of her food source or was just too close to her nest. I'm still parked fairly close but it doesn't seem to bother her where it is now. The babies look like maybe they were born in the last 24 hours and they are very cute.

I did find some damage above the front bumper on my truck on the painted plastic but I think I understand now why she did what she did.

Laura

[JudyJB]

She was saying, "Take THAT, you nasty other bird!"

Glad you got this resolved. Now you will have a story to tell.

[SoCalGalcas]

Laura, what a neat story! Glad you were able to solve the problem to the satisfaction of "Mama Robin". Lyn

[Bethers]

Laura, love your story - love that you moved and kept Mama and babies safe!