A woman in California has spent the past week dealing with an unusually persistent bird that keeps striking and tapping at her home’s windows.
Lupe Arechiga, who lives in Oakhurst in the Central Valley, said she has no idea what triggered the behavior or why it has continued day after day. The bird repeatedly pecks and knocks at the glass, seemingly trying to get inside or draw attention.
Footage Arechiga shared with a local news outlet shows the bird’s shadow as it taps nonstop against the window for more than 40 seconds. At some moments, it flies directly into the glass before continuing the tapping. At other times, it perches nearby and pecks at the window over and over again.
In a post on social media, Arechiga said the bird eventually stopped hitting one window, only to move to another part of the house. She wrote that it later began tapping on the front window as well, joking that it seemed like the bird wanted to come inside.
Experts say this type of behavior is not uncommon. In an online video from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, host Scott Detwiler explained that birds often act this way due to hormones. He said the bird is likely a young male reacting aggressively to its own reflection, which it mistakes for a rival.
To stop the behavior, Detwiler suggested reducing or blocking the reflection in the glass. This can be done by installing a window screen or applying a decorative spray that dulls the surface. For a simple and low cost option, he also recommended rubbing candle wax on the window to help break up the reflection.
The California Post said it has contacted the California Audubon for additional comment.