Small Bird Knocking on Window Everyday? (2 Viewers)

[Empranillo]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any information about a bird that knocks on my window with its beak everyday, multiple times throughout the day. I first noticed it about 2 months ago and have finally managed to get a video but it is too large to upload to the site. The bird is very small, around the size of a robin, possibly smaller. It has black colouring around its eyes and is a light cream/white colour on its belly. It is white on the top of its head. The wings have black feathers with white smaller feathers. It also has a long tail that consists of black and white/creamy feathers.
Behind where I live backs into a bushy, wooded area. I live in the North West of England. I would really like to know anything at all about the bird, including why it does this, what species it is, etc.
I hope I have provided enough info? Please ask for any more! Thanks!

 

[CARERY]

Hi, welcome to birdforum!

Not sure about the species but Long-tailed Tit comes to mind...

Mainly I would like to comment on the behaviour. It often has been documented that birds fight their reflection in car mirrors, windows etc. They obviously can't distinguish between a reflection and a real contender. It's their territory but there always is this other guy who 'provokes' them.

 

[Earnest lad]

Could it be that this bird, from your description, is the Pied Wagtail?

 

[Empranillo]

Thank you both for responding! After a quick google, it's definitely a Long Tailed Tit.

So it's probably being territorial and attacking its reflection? It doesn't seem aggressive when it knocks on the window. It lands on the sill and knocks a couple of times, then hops onto a nearby branch, then jumps back onto the sill and knocks again. Its really interesting to watch, and as I said, its very often throughout the day.

 

[mark clements]

we get 3 tit species, including LTT tapping around the frames looking for insects, i presume, its definitely not the all out territorial attacks we also see in the garden.

H

 

[StephenHampshire]

Thank you both for responding! After a quick google, it's definitely a Long Tailed Tit.

So it's probably being territorial and attacking its reflection? It doesn't seem aggressive when it knocks on the window. It lands on the sill and knocks a couple of times, then hops onto a nearby branch, then jumps back onto the sill and knocks again. Its really interesting to watch, and as I said, its very often throughout the day.

When they attack their reflection, I have found long tailed tits to be quite aggressive. The composite picture attached is of one who kept attacking his image reflected on our patio doors a few years back. He behaved this way regularly several times a day for several weeks.

 

[Earnest lad]

It sounds like something similar to a Hitchcock movie.
How about "Revenge of the killer Long-tailed tits"?

 

[Andy Hurley]

When they attack their reflection, I have found long tailed tits to be quite aggressive. The composite picture attached is of one who kept attacking his image reflected on our patio doors a few years back. He behaved this way regularly several times a day for several weeks.

Great shots there Stephan. I find LtTs difficult to photograph as the never sit still!