DEAR JOAN: I never expected that I would have to write you since I have no pets, except for some hummingbirds that feed at my wife’s sugar feeder in the backyard. But starting a few weeks ago, we have had a visitor that comes every morning about 7 a.m. and starts pounding on our window — lately, it’s been on three windows.

I’m curious why, and I want to know how I can get rid of him — or her — without hurting it.

Jim S., Brentwood

DEAR JIM: You didn’t leave a 7 a.m. wake up call, did you?

Birds looking to establish their territory and build a nest often mistake their own reflections as interlopers that must be driven away. They will work constantly, and futilely, pecking at the image, trying to scare  away this particular challenger.

Young mockingbird at window. (Courtesy of James Sullivan) 

The bird in question appears to be a young mockingbird, and as mating season for mockingbirds is months away, I don’t know what has this fellow so intent on getting rid of a rival. I’m just going to blame youth.

While it’s unlikely he’ll do any serious harm to himself or your windows, pecking birds can damage their beaks or be so intent on their purpose that they neglect to eat, so it’s best to stop the pecking.

The change of seasons and trees dropping their leaves means that windows in your home that weren’t bothered before have become reflective. You can try pulling curtains or windows shades to help reduce the reflection, or buy a medium-weight plastic painter’s drop cloth and hang it on the outside of the windows, secured at the top. The drop cloth will let light into your home, but eliminate the reflection in the windows. Leaving it loose to sway in the breeze will also help discourage the mockingbird.

Once the bird has moved on, you can take down the drop cloth and sleep in — until spring, when the mockingbird will begin singing to attract a mate.

DEAR JOAN: My cat keeps knocking things over. She is in season now. What can I do?

Patricia Wallen, Beloit, Wisconsin

DEAR PATRICIA: Having your cat spayed will prevent unwanted pregnancies and stop some of the more drastic behavior from a cat feeling the urge to mate. As for knocking things off shelves and tables, there’s not much to be done about that, except maybe using museum putty to stick your most valuable items to their surfaces, because cats are going to cat.

Experts are flummoxed by our cats’ love of swatting, pushing and knocking things off shelves. I’ve watched my cats look me straight in the face and then shove my things off the table without breaking eye contact. I’ve also seen them run across tables and shelves without touching a single thing. It’s deliberate, but probably not as vindictive as it appears.

Cats use their paws for a lot of important reasons including exploring their surroundings. They might knock things off to learn more about the object. They might also do it to get our attention, and believe me, a vase hitting the floor at 2 a.m. will get a lot of attention. They might also be exercising their prey drive.

For whatever reason, it’s an instinct that won’t be overcome.

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Use this form to submit questions. Photos should be mailed separately to jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com.