Birds and Windows
It’s common for birds to fly into windows or peck at them. This happens for a few reasons:
- Birds see reflections in windows and think it’s an object or another bird.
- Windows can appear invisible to birds when they are clear or reflective.
- Birds might see food, nesting sites, or other birds inside.
Up to a billion birds die in window collisions each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. So it’s understandable that you might be concerned when a bird pecks at your window.
Common Reasons Birds Peck Windows
While hitting a window is often accidental, pecking is usually more intentional. Here are some of the most common reasons birds peck at windows:
Territorial Behavior
Birds are highly territorial and can be quite aggressive about defending their perceived turf. If a bird sees its reflection, it may peck at the window thinking it’s another bird intruding on its territory.
This is most common during breeding season when birds are establishing nesting sites and raising young. But it can happen at other times too. Birds that exhibit territorial behavior include robins, cardinals, woodpeckers, swallows, and mockingbirds.
Foraging Attempts
Birds have excellent color vision and are constantly scanning for food sources. Berries, insects, seeds—if they spot something they want to eat, they’ll go for it.
So a bird might peck at a window if it sees something inside it wants to get—like a fruit bowl on a table or houseplant. This can be a particular issue if you have bird feeders near windows.
Nesting Sites
In spring, birds’ thoughts turn to nesting and raising young. Part of establishing territory is identifying safe, sheltered spots to build nests.
Some birds seem to mistake windows and window frames as potential nesting sites. You might see them pecking at corners or ledges near windows when house-hunting.
Interaction
Sometimes birds peck at windows seeking interaction with humans or other birds. Birds, especially corvids and parrots, are highly intelligent. If they have a history of being fed by window-knocking, they’ll repeat what works to get your attention.
Pet birds may also peck at windows when they hear or see their owners on the other side of the glass. They recognize you and want to interact.
What Does It Mean When a Specific Bird Pecks Your Window?
Now let’s look at what it might mean when particular bird species peck your window:
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers hammer away at trees and structures in search of insects and to establish nest sites. So seeing one pecking your window likely means it hears bugs it wants to eat inside your home, or it sees crevices it wants to investigate further.
Woodpeckers can do serious damage with their strong beaks over time. So take action to deter them if they persist.
Hummingbirds
These tiny birds have lightning-fast metabolisms and need to eat frequently. Hummingbirds may peck at windows if they see flowers or feeders they want to access.
It’s best not to place hummingbird feeders too close to windows for this reason. Move them farther away to stop window pecking.
Robins
Robins are highly territorial and tend to attack their own reflections aggressively. Male robins defending their turf are especially likely to repeatedly peck at windows.
Installing deterrents is recommended if you have a robin that just won’t stop pecking. Otherwise, they could end up seriously injuring themselves.
Crows
Crows are incredibly intelligent and depend on vision to identify friends, enemies, and food sources. If a crow spots something of interest inside your home, it may peck at the window to get to it. Or it could be attacking a rival crow reflected in the glass.
Scare devices like fake owls likely won’t deter crows for long. Blocking their view inside is a better option.
Mockingbirds
These birds fiercely guard their nests and are fearless in mobbing predators. They often attack their own reflection, perceiving it as a threat.
So repeated pecking from a mockingbird usually means it’s seeing itself in your window and wants to drive the “intruder” away.
Cardinals
Both males and females cardinals will aggressively peck at windows. The males defend their breeding territories. And females guard their nests in spring and summer.
Cardinals will attack their own reflection thinking it’s encroaching on their turf. Try deterrents first. If that fails, block the reflection with tempera paint, screens, or one-way transparent film.
Birds of Prey
Hawks, falcons, and owls hunt during the daytime. If they see prey animals through your windows, they may peck or strike as they try to get at them. Raptors can crack or break glass with their powerful beaks.
If a bird of prey starts pecking a window, discourage it by closing curtains and blinds on that side of your home. You can also use deterrents.
Is Window Pecking Harmful to Birds?
Birds can injure themselves while pecking at windows. Most impacts don’t cause severe damage. But repeated hard pecking or striking can result in:
- Beak injuries – Cracks, chips, bruising, or other trauma.
- Head and neck trauma – Concussions or whiplash.
- Eye injuries – Damaged lenses, retinas, or sockets.
- Clavicular air sac punctures – Can be fatal if the bird inhales blood.
Birds may kill themselves pecking aggressively at their own reflections for hours or days on end. So it’s best for both birds and homeowners to take steps to stop the behavior.
How to Deter Birds From Pecking Windows
Here are some effective ways to stop birds from pecking your windows:
Install exterior screens
Mesh screens on the outside of windows can deter birds since they obscured reflections and views inside. Make sure screens fit tightly so birds can’t get behind them.
Apply tempera paint
Use non-toxic children’s tempera paint to cover the outside of problem windows. Apply vertical stripes or other patterns (birds ignore solid colors). Re-apply as needed after rainfall.
Use deterrents
Scare and repel birds with:
- Life-size plastic predator decoys like hawks, owls, or snakes.
- Shiny reflective objects that move in the wind like foil pan lids, pinwheels, or mylar tape.
- Noise makers triggered by movement.
Relocate and vary deterrents occasionally so birds don’t get used to them.
Install one-way transparent film
Special window films allow people to see out, but birds only see a reflection. This prevents collisions and pecking while maintaining your view.
Keep feeders away from windows
Bird feeders too close to windows attract pecking. Move them at least 3 feet away, or further if possible. Use feeders with weight-sensitive perches to limit large flocks.
Alter outdoor lighting
Birds may peck at lighted windows at night because the lights attract insects. Dim lights, install shades, or switch to motion-activated lighting after dark.
Block reflections
Close blinds, curtains, or opaque window treatments on problem windows. Or cover the outside of the glass with cardboard, plastic, tape, or paint.
When to Seek Help for Bird Window Pecking
If birds won’t stop pecking despite your best deterrent efforts, it’s time to call for reinforcements. A wildlife control professional can identify stubborn bird species, assess why they’re pecking, and implement specialized exclusion or relocation techniques.
Seek professional help right away if:
- Birds are damaging windows or screens with their pecking.
- Multiple deterrents have failed to work.
- Special-status birds like hummingbirds or raptors won’t leave.
- There’s evidence injured birds are still pecking.
Professionals have access to bird repellents andexclusion devices not available to the public. For severe pecking issues, they can remove problem birds humanely.
Prevent Future Window Collisions and Pecking
To avoid issues long-term, take these steps to make your windows bird-friendly:
- Install screens, films, or UV-reflective glass designed to prevent collisions.
- Incorporate bird-visible decals, mosaics, or patterns on glass.
- Place bird tape or other markers at least 2 inches apart across windows.
- Avoid placing bird feeders within 30 feet of windows.
- Add awnings, overhangs, and sunshades around windows.
- Keep outdoor lighting low, shielded, and minimized at night.
- Use natural lighting and window coverings whenever possible.
With some tweaks, your windows can go from bird hazards to safe, decorative features of your home.
The Bottom Line
When a bird pecks persistently at your window, it’s usually attacking a reflection or trying to get at something. Deterrents, screens, and other modifications can stop the pecking and prevent future collisions. With quick action, you can protect birds from injury and keep your windows intact.