Help needed - Persistent Black Naped Oriole (1 Viewer)

[saidean]

Hi everyone,

I do apologise if this is the wrong forum to ask questions but my wife and I are at wits ends over this situation we have...! We're asking here because you folks seem to be very knowledgeable in all things birdy and we're trying to figure out this bird we have visiting us daily.

We stay in Singapore where black naped orioles are fairly common. We moved into our flat (ground floor) in Feb this year and since April, there's been a black naped oriole that's been visiting the outside of our flat. When I say outside, this bird literally bangs into our study room windows, looks like it's trying to get in (uses beak against the glass windows, flies against window etc), is there from 6am till about 5pm, singing away constantly. We don't know why it keeps on returning to our flat, in particular the study room window area... we thought maybe the previous person staying here used to feed the bird so we abstained from feeding, but it kept on returning.

It's become quite disruptive to our sleeping patterns and it's hard for me to concentrate on working when I'm in the study room and it's hitting the glass and tapping it (and of course singing away).

Any idea why it keeps on returning here, and how we can do something about it? I'm not a bird person but I do not want to kill it and I understand if I contact the local environmental agency they might do just that (they're quite aggressive!). So any help from people who knows about birds is greatly appreciated. Should I feed it? Anything that might stop it from coming (eg scents that birds generally do not like)?

Any help appreciated greatly!!

Thanks in advance,
Saidean

 

[david kelly]

Saidean

This oriole may be behaving territorially towards its own reflection in your window. The RSPB in the UK sell shilouettes of Sparrowhawks and falcons to deter birds from flying into windows and this may work for your oriole too.

David

 

[Katy Penland]

Hi, Saidean! I see this is your first post, so a warm welcome to you from all of us on staff here at BirdForum!

Have to agree with David about the diagnosis of the behavior of your oriole. I've seen this same behavior in multiple species, fortunately, though, not as early in the morning as yours. Actually, any kind of decal or pattern that breaks up the reflectivity of your glass window will probably do the trick -- it doesn't have to be of a predatory raptor species unless you're wanting to discourage all birds from being around.

 

[birdeast]

I am in Singapore as well and have tried on several occassions to get within photographic range of this striking bird without success. They are everywhere, but are very difficult to get close to (at least when you have a camera )

Just wondering if you have solved your problem yet?

Scott

 

[saidean]

Hi birdeast,

Nope. Bird's a regular at my window daily I tried to 'scare' it by various means - barking (no luck there), tapping the window when it's right next to it (nope either), siccing my cat (window's still closed, but bird ain't scared)...

If you know where I can get these decals, they might help. Other suggestions have been to get a bird cage/trap, catch it and release it somewhere FAR from here.

It's close enough that I could see the colour of its eyes lol. Had a bit of a 'frayed' wing a few months back but that looks healed. At one point, I thought it brought a partner or another oriole because they took turns flying to my window (both are terrible in judging distance - hitting the window while landing is a common occurence).

I'll try to post some pictures of it the next time it comes by. It'll be through the window though - I tried opening the window before but it flew off before I could get a shot (using camera of course!)!

Best,
Saidean

 

[birdeast]

Have you tried experimenting a bit with taping strips of paper or something on the outside of the glass? The decals that were suggested would have to be anything fancy, just something that says, "Hello....this is a window...There is no other oriole in the house".

If you get the desire effect by experimenting with something temporary, then maybe you can go look at different decals that would suit the purpose without making your window look like the inside of a bath tub or something.... :bounce:

Keep me posted....curious to see how this plays out