My Chickadee and the Window Strike

What an awesome experience! To literally touch nature and become an active part of it. The decals are a great addition to windows and a godsend to the beautiful birds.

Posted by Diane on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 02:21 PM

Why would anyone shoot a cardinal shamefull in the least. I would love to have one but not in Colroado are they. All my birds peck on my window decals don't bother them. They do it anyway for as they want me to fill birdfeeders. The woodys all hammer on my house we don't care. They are just drumming for a mate.
Beverly Smith

Posted by Beverly Smith on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 02:29 PM

A hummingbird flew in my open fron door and tried to fly out a closed window. I picked him up to see if he would be alright. He was not injured, just dazed. I was amazed to discover how downy soft a hummingbird is! My young grandson was thrilled to get a up-close-and-personal look at this amazing tiny bird.

Posted by Sharon K. on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 02:31 PM

I live in Syraucse, New York, better known as the Frozen Tundra for six months. I have many Duncraft feeders that I love; however in chatting with other bird feeding people, we think designs should be considered to incorporate the fact that the seed gets wet from the elements, unobtainable because of the snow, and what results is a waste of good seed. There are additions to add to the feeders, but they are costly, and don't stand up to the winds of this area during the winter months. Maybe someone has suggestions. Love the chickadee story, not the cardinal story. Thanks

Posted by Sandi on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 03:17 PM

She SHOT a Cardinal?!! I do NOT want her anywhere near me!

Posted by Beverly on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 03:25 PM

A goldfinch flew into our living room window, and I went outside and picked it up. It appeared dazed as I held it for a few moments. A few tiny feathers were loose on its head and came out when he gave his head a little shake. Then he flew off! What a breathtaking encounter with this beautiful little soul!

Posted by Cheryl on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 03:50 PM

At our cabin in the Southern Utah mountains, we rescue many different birds, including grosbeaks, hummers, and other species. The variety of birds in this area is amazing. Please everyone, continue to feed and rescue these lovely jewels. They are truly a gift from above.

Posted by Judy on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 04:28 PM

We live in Northern part of MI, Petoskey, about 50 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge. We have been living in our area for almost 2 yrs now, and feed a variety of birds in front of our apt. We have chickadees, nuthatches, mourning doves, blue-jays, a (very) few cardinals, and surprise of all, Juncos. I thought that Juncos only came in the spring and fall, on their way to migrate. Ours have stayed all winter long so far. They are lovely birds. We also have starlings, but not many in the winter.

We have put up a separate feeder for the black squirrels, as they love the bird feeder. We have a herd of around 12 deer that have a route that they travel about 2 x's a week, and they stop in our front yard. We have had a skunk early in the am lately, and not loving that. We are so excited to see what the spring and summer months will bring us. We love taking pics of them and continue to feed them all yr long.

Posted by Chris Seibel on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 04:58 PM

I hate to be a damp blanket, but I have read that you should not handle birds in shock (such as from collisions with windows) as further shock may kill them. Wait and watch 10 or 15 minutes and see if they recover on their own before handling. Keep other predators away (such as cats). Most injured birds will get over the shock and fly off on their own. If necessary, put the bird in a shoebox or other closed container to keep quiet until you can get the injured bird to a certified bird rehabilitator.

Posted by P. Manners on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 05:09 PM

I have had our chickadees come and feed from our hand, sit on the picnic table to share lunch and sit on our crossed legs with us while we read. It doesn't get any better than that ! I love all our bird friends and feed them daily.

Posted by Carol Saunders on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 05:44 PM

To Chris in Petoskey: You'll think those deer are not so pretty when they destroy all your shrubs and gardens next spring! Don't encourage them in the winter so that their expectations draw them in the spring! Good Luck!

Posted by jr on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 07:24 AM

We don't have the time to watch the recovery of birds who hit the windows (in spite of our spider webs). Many many birds have been happy to fly off after a few minutes in a grocery bag. When we hear a rustle in the bag, we know it's time to release--just lay the bag flat on its side and open--they're off! It feels so good to spare them from the hawks and cats!

Posted by Ben on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 07:32 AM

I spend a fortune feeding every sparrow, starling, dove and finch in town just for the privilege of having three pairs of cardinals live and nest in my yard. It is a criminal act in Texas to kill a native songbird like a cardinal and in my opinion, rightly so!

Posted by Carol on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 09:44 AM

I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. I would like to remind everyone that native wild birds are protected under federal law. Harming or possession of wild birds, their feathers, nests, or eggs without the proper permits are prosecutable offenses. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained to resolve wildlife issues humanely and to provide care for those who have been injured. Most veterinarians, humane societies, and nature centers can put you in contact with a licensed professional in your community.

Posted by Elaine on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 09:54 AM

To Elaine (wildlife rehabilitator), I saw an injured cardinal in the middle of the road one day and immediately pulled my car over to pick him up. He had some bleeding around his head and his head plumage feathers were missing.I assumed that he flew into a passing car.I held him in my lap all the way home and put him in one of my fir trees (where I could watch him).If I had left him in the road he would surely have been run over again and died. Baldy recooperated and all through the summer I would get a glimpse of him around my feeders. What I'm trying to say is, there will be times when we have to make a split decision and handle these creatures to save them.

Posted by Ellie Marco on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:30 PM

We are privileged to be the long time home for several pairs of Cardinals. Why do people think that they have the right to kill wild things? In the world today there are fewer and fewer wild song birds. We began last year to participate in the eastern blue bird recovery program in Minnesota. We did not raise blue birds last year but will try again this spring.
Forgive the bird killer but hope that a new awareness will keep that from happening again....

Posted by Lynn Lopau on Sunday, March 11, 2007 04:23 PM

STOP window deaths! You CAN stop window collision bird deaths. Decals and feathers didn't work for us. We found a way to keep birds from hitting our windows by installing black screen door fabric outside the glass. It is easy and cheap! Measure the size of your windows, then visit a hardware store to purchase the black vinyl screen made for screen doors. You will also need 2, 1 inch dowels and 4 brass hooks (shaped like a question mark) per window. A staple gun is also handy. Attach a 1 inch dowel to the upper and lower edges of the screen by partially wrapping the screening one turn around the dowel and stapling or glueing the screen in place. Screw the 4 brass hooks into the top and bottom corners of your outside window frame. Insert the screen-clad dowels in the top 2 hooks, then the bottom 2 hooks. The screen should be firm, but it doesn't have to be tight. You can increase or decrease the tension by the number of times you twist the screen around the dowels. Birds can SEE the screen where they are not able to see the glass due to reflections. It won't obsure your view from inside the house one bit! If a bird occasionally hits it, the screen provides a little cushion like a trampoline and the bird will sort of bounce off. We've only had 3 birds hit our windows in over a year! We used to have to leave our blinds down to keep birds from colliding. They only took about an hour to make and install. It has been well worth it.

Posted by krfitzmaurice@yahoo.com on Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:43 PM

Number 9 because I understand he is rare north of CT. We have him and his lady as regular visiters to our small"sanctuary" of slightly less than 2 acres of dead trees, bittersweet tangles, Poison ivy,heavy brush, untreated grass, heated bird bath, suet and seed feeders. Last season we had the pleasure of welcoming an immature Red Bellied to the "sanctuary".
Ted & Nina Healy Temple Hill Shrewsbury MA

Posted by Ted Healy on Monday, March 12, 2007 12:51 PM

What a kind lady to help the little chickadee. About window strikes: I added an assortment of decorative wind chimes, strings of crystal beads, & colorful fabric strips around my glass enclosed patio. Some people may find this to look "junky" but the alternative is finding injured or dead birds due to window strikes. And I haven't had nearly as many window strikes since.

On another note: before you close your garage door, look out for birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. For some reason, they seem quite interested in my garage!

Posted by Kim on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 12:27 PM

What a shame this woman had to shoot such a beautiful bird.... I do hope her conscience bothered her. The poor cardinal had no defense with such a large, destructive weapon used to kill.....who knows what?? I guess she just did not have the smarts to try to solve the problem any other way!! I feel sorry for you that you don't know how wonderful it is to love nature!!

Posted by june sessler on Monday, March 26, 2007 05:13 PM