Why Is That Bird Doing That? Your Commonly Asked Bird Questions, Answered

Have you ever seen or experienced a bird behaviour that left you with some questions? Birds can seem quite mysterious to us, their life history traits vary from humans in drastic ways - they fly! They change colour! They are dinosaurs! 

We thought we would answer some commonly asked questions about birds - and open the floor for a continued series - feel free to leave comments of questions you would like answered. 

You asked, we answered: 

Why is a bird dive bombing me?

Diving Red-winged blackbird. Photo by Heather Kerrison. 

Think about it this way - they have deemed you to be too close. In breeding season many bird species become far more territorial, after spending winter months communally gathering for food and shelter. Once they have a nesting site, and perhaps have laid eggs with a female sitting on them, males will fiercely defend the area around the nest. This is why you may be 'attacked' or dive-bombed by a Red-winged blackbird. It is also the same reason that a Canada Goose may chase you, they are defending a close by nest location. It's fun to think of them as protective dads - it's what they are! 

Why is a bird attacking my window?

Have you ever had a bird start repeatedly attacking the side-view mirror on your car? Or perhaps a window on your house? This behaviour is due to much the same reason as above. As breeding season ramps up, birds start fiercely defending territory. Here's the catch - they don't understand reflections. A male cardinal will see it's own reflection in a mirror or window and repeatedly attack it.. because it thinks it's defending its territory from another male cardinal. If a bird is doing this incessantly, you can always use paper or cardboard to block the reflective surface, usually if you do this for a day or two they will move on. 

Male Northern Cardinal at Window Feeder. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

Can birds smell?

You may not START at this question. But many other questions about birds often lead here. If you're wondering 'can birds find their nest if it is moved' or 'can birds find their young if they cannot see or hear them' - and the answers are no and no. Birds lack a sense of smell. Moving their nest or young will result in them abandoning them. They do not use a keen sense of smell to find their nest or young, as we may expect a mammal to. 

Do you have any other questions about birds and their behaviour you want answered? Please drop them in the comments below! 

Share with someone to help their learn something new. 

Warmly, 

Heather