Western Bluebird, Petaluma, California

Photo of a male western bluebird on a broken branch.

For several years now we’ve been fortunate to have a pair of western bluebirds use one of the nest boxes in our backyard. The female this year has a strange habit. She constantly flies into windows at our house and our neighbor’s house. She doesn’t injure herself, it’s more of a bump with her breast and then she will drop down to the small sill at the bottom of the window and then repeat the process over and over. It may be that she sees her reflection and is maybe trying to scare away what she thinks is a rival. I don’t know if this is right. That’s what I get when I google the question. Has anyone else seen a bluebird do this?  Does anyone have a different theory for why?

One Response

  1. Sounds right on the reflection of a potential rival. Have photographed ruby crowned kinglet going after side mirror reflection on my car. However, I also find juncos, chickadees, etc. going after the bugs on the corners of the windows.

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