My bird problem is a robin that this spring decided his (or her) favorite perch in the mirrors of my 4Runner. Not so bad except the way robins like most birds lighten the load as they take flight leaving potentially corrosive white streaks down the doors. The only partial solution is to tie grocery store/Walmart bags on the mirrors and, …
My bird problem is a robin that this spring decided his (or her) favorite perch in the mirrors of my 4Runner. Not so bad except the way robins like most birds lighten the load as they take flight leaving potentially corrosive white streaks down the doors. The only partial solution is to tie grocery store/Walmart bags on the mirrors and, of course, remove them any time I leave. This discourages the bird and catches most, but not all, of the bird poop. So I guess at least I have a way to recycle the nasty plastic bags used to haul groceries.
Postscript
After several weeks the robin apparently found a mate, built a nest, and gave up mirror sitting! Thanks to James Goodrich for reminding me I needed to add this postscript!
Try a sign in Robin verse that says this is not a free parking and pooping site and hang it so it catches the droppings because we know that birds can't read.
I found a fake owl I bought a couple of years ago and tried that but no luck. The robin totally ignored it. The next step would be a semi automated owl with a turning head but the nesting season is progressing and the robin comes by less frequently. As I recall robins are good parents so hatching baby robins are likely taking precedent to sitting, etc on the mirrors.
My bird problem is a robin that this spring decided his (or her) favorite perch in the mirrors of my 4Runner. Not so bad except the way robins like most birds lighten the load as they take flight leaving potentially corrosive white streaks down the doors. The only partial solution is to tie grocery store/Walmart bags on the mirrors and, of course, remove them any time I leave. This discourages the bird and catches most, but not all, of the bird poop. So I guess at least I have a way to recycle the nasty plastic bags used to haul groceries.
Postscript
After several weeks the robin apparently found a mate, built a nest, and gave up mirror sitting! Thanks to James Goodrich for reminding me I needed to add this postscript!
Try a sign in Robin verse that says this is not a free parking and pooping site and hang it so it catches the droppings because we know that birds can't read.
If you park in the same spot everyday, try a weighted owl decoy on the roof.
Or an imitation cat or any real predator. Any fake raptor may keep the robin off the SUV.
I found a fake owl I bought a couple of years ago and tried that but no luck. The robin totally ignored it. The next step would be a semi automated owl with a turning head but the nesting season is progressing and the robin comes by less frequently. As I recall robins are good parents so hatching baby robins are likely taking precedent to sitting, etc on the mirrors.
I think you are correct with the fact that the mirror is a great watch tower and escape height
Especially if the tree nest has eggs or baby Robins. Try a crow decoy at nesting sites too.
The crows raid bird nests for the eggs and the snack inside it.
Maybe the owl is not the best deterrent.
But the cat poised up on the roof might be.