Angry bird makes mocking his new game

A seemingly menacing mockingbird is bringing all-new meaning to "Angry Birds" -- Austin-style.

 

"Is this bird deranged? Is this a prelude to a real-life version of 'The Birds?' Is he simply protecting his young?" joked Jason Arredondo. "I don't know, but now I just want to figure out why he comes around so often."

 

Arredondo is talking about the little flying fellow that frequents his Southwest Austin apartment in Central Texas like clockwork. The bird's been beating and flapping his way into the windows for weeks.

• The first video with this story shows the bird from the bedroom balcony.
• The second video is from around the corner from the front balcony, where Arredondo he goes after the bedroom tactics fail.

"I will open the blinds, and he still doesn't fly away," said Arredondo. "In fact, he will jump down on the ground and walk around the corner to the other window, as though we're on his territory."

 

And Arredondo said it wasn't an issue at first, but the visits have been happening for the last five days every morning and afternoon. He said the bird's persistent tactics make it seem as though it's trying to get their attention.

 

"As the frequency progressed, I knew it was happening intentionally," he said. "We live in an apartment on the first floor, and it's a corner lot. There are a lot of trees with a ton of windows, including two balconies. This bird has plenty of opportunities to cause a ruckus."

 

And mischievous Mr. Mockingbird does. 

 

"The living room balcony, living room windows, bedroom windows are all fair game in that bird's mind," said Arredondo. "There's even a patrolling session this bird likes to do when I go outside and try to establish contact. It's not afraid of me."

 

The mockingbird will simply jump from the railing to the tree directly outside and wait there -- and even jump to the adjoining tree.

 

"I've sat on the balcony to watch this bird, and he will literally walk back and forth from balcony to balcony," said Arredondo. "And if he does fly away, he moves to the closest tree and just waits there. He flies away, but to other bushes -- as though waiting me out until I leave."

 

Arredondo admits he found it funny at first, thinking the banging-into-the-windows was a one-time instance. Yet, now that it continues to happen, he's worried.

 

"I don't think he's doing this act because he's looking for a warm place now that it's cooler," he said. "It's been hot, cold; it doesn't phase him. No climate keeps this bird from flapping his way into the windows. 

 

As for remedies, Arredondo hasn't come up with anything yet to deal with the mysterious mockingbird.

 

"Now with him being here every day, I think it's time to act," he said.

 

So far, feeding the little fellow hasn't worked, either, as he left the food untouched. Guess he eats like a bird.