Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Vinca

(50,285 posts)
Thu Apr 26, 2018, 08:09 AM Apr 2018

We're being tormented by a flycatcher!

What's up with the bird? I think I've identified him as an olive-sided flycatcher. For the past few days he's been trying to get in the house. He's not swooping and accidently hitting windows, he's intentionally flapping up against them. He sits on the garage roof or a nearby bush and watches and then flies in and flaps his wings against the back door window. He wants in. I tried cutting out a silhouette of a bigger bird with wings outstretched and sticking it on the window thinking it would scare him off, but he soon caught on. He's by himself, so maybe he thinks the love of his life is living in our kitchen. Thoughts? Just a horny bird who will eventually go away after spring mating season??

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
We're being tormented by a flycatcher! (Original Post) Vinca Apr 2018 OP
Your last sentence. MuseRider Apr 2018 #1
I'll have to check around. We have swallows that take up residence in the garage every year, Vinca Apr 2018 #2
That sounds like a good idea! MuseRider Apr 2018 #3
Update on the flycatcher. He's still at it! Nothing deters this bird. I think he's psycho. Vinca Jun 2018 #4

MuseRider

(34,112 posts)
1. Your last sentence.
Thu Apr 26, 2018, 08:38 AM
Apr 2018

Just hope they don't have a nest close by or this will continue. We have a cardinal that does this every year on one window only, for years he (or others) have done this. This year we put an extra screen over the window. So far so good. Fingers crossed.

Vinca

(50,285 posts)
2. I'll have to check around. We have swallows that take up residence in the garage every year,
Thu Apr 26, 2018, 12:17 PM
Apr 2018

but this is the first flycatcher encounter. It seems to be a lone bird, but maybe the Mrs. is around somewhere guarding eggs. If he doesn't leave in a couple of more days I'm going to go to the dollar store and buy one of those garden whirligig things you plant in the ground to keep birds away. I'll hook it to the side of the house temporarily. At least my cats are entertained. LOL.

MuseRider

(34,112 posts)
3. That sounds like a good idea!
Thu Apr 26, 2018, 01:51 PM
Apr 2018

If it works take a picture and post that, it is really annoying and it always makes me worry about the poor bird. We sit upstairs and we thought it was one of our neighbors out shooting his gun, an at least once daily occurrence, but it was just continual and we knew he did not have enough money for all those bullets.

I hope this works!

Vinca

(50,285 posts)
4. Update on the flycatcher. He's still at it! Nothing deters this bird. I think he's psycho.
Sat Jun 2, 2018, 12:50 PM
Jun 2018

It's been around so long we've named him "Vlad" because flycatchers are described as tyrant birds in my little Audubon book. Guess he'll be with us until cold weather sets in.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Birders»We're being tormented by ...