What causes a bird to fly into my window repeatedly with reckless abandon?

MegoSteve — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:55:33 -0800

Why are birds repeatedly hurling themselves against my office window? It isn't just accidental, like when a bird doesn't see the glass and crashes into the window, knocking itself silly (or dead). It's a persistent tapping behavior. The bird flies against the window, tapping at it with its beak, then lands on the tree right next to the window, then does it again and again. It's lmost the same rhythm as if a kid were throwing a ball against the side of the house. *Bonk* *Bonk* *Bonk*

It started several months ago with a different bird of indeterminate species who has since left. Last week, the same behavior started again with a beautiful, bright red cardinal. He's tapping at my window on and off since last Wednesday, and he's doing it right now. It's almost like a game, and I kind of enjoy the distraction (so do the cats), but I'm also not out there smearing peanut butter and bird seed on my window, so I don't get why it's happening.

Is this typical bird behavior? What would cause this?

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What causes a bird to fly into my window repeatedly with reckless abandon?