Mirror image

The windows in our fifth-wheel trailer have a reflective coating, which is great for privacy and summer cooling. But certain birds see their reflection and think they're being challenged by a member of their own species. While we were dry-camping in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita, Arizona, this fellow spent a whole morning confronting his image in our big rear window. My wife's "Field Guide to North American Birds" identified him as a plain titmouse. He'd flit back and forth inches from the window, irritated that the other bird--by coincidence also a plain titmouse--would mirror his every move, feather for feather. Then he'd alight on a rung of our ladder for a few moments or fly around the trailer once or twice. Occasionally the bird would bump against the window, trying to get at his sassy alter ego.

Due to the reflective glass, he couldn't see my wife and me watching from inside. Eventually, after none of his antics enticed his antagonist in the window to come out and fight, he gave up and flew away.

My photos of the bird airborne came out blurry. Here's a clear shot of him on the ladder.