Chrome Side Mirror Cover Question

[JolieCruiser]

First off....don't laugh!
My PT side mirrors are non folding and they're not black metal like the sides of the car, not quite sure what to call it but I think most of you know the material its made out, like black plastic.
Ok my dilemma is - I park my car at a meeting point, a carpooler's home off a country road. There is a cardinal bird that was there all last summer, the winter and still there. Another girl and I take turns driving to the meeting point. This bird loves to perch on our side mirror and of course make a mess down the side of the car which I clean as soon as I get home. He does both sides of the car. But is little feet is starting to make scratches in the black plastic. If I put chrome covers on there do you think he will just scratch the chrome too? Should I just leave it til its gets bad enough and then put chrome on it? Opinions please!!! Yes I do know its a cardinal because if we have to wait for the van he is so brazen he will sit on the mirror and look into the car at me! LOL He also looks in a window at the house. Anyone know the life span of a cardinal?

[CREWZIN]

I think the chrome will attract the birds even more-so than the black mirrors BUT it might not be able to get a good grip on the shiny chrome BUT it will try and probably scratch those also.

I'd try something like they do to the globe lights at parks (at least I've seen them down here) and stick something temporarily to the top of each mirror so it couldn't perch there.

One half of a velcro strip that you'd hardly notice (black) on the mirror top and something that will deter the bird from landing on the mirror on the other half of the velcro strip. When you come to the car just take the top half off.

[Hooligan]

Anyone know the life span of a cardinal? 12 guage-not long.

We have friends who had the same problem, they sprayed their windows with Simple Green which made it non-reflecting. Doesn't look very nice, but it solved their problem with "THE" Cardinal.

[cleverklutz]

Cover your mirrors with double sided tape. If there's a cat in the area, there should only be feathers on the tape when you get back to the car! If you get the chrome covers maybe you could look into a clear covering. I believe 3M makes different transparent coverings that help with paint chips on hoods and such.

Ben

[soonercruiser]

You've got to be kidding me Jolie!!
Is it the bright red male Cardinal; or the dull red/brown female?
If it's the female, you may have your hands full.
If it's the male - YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Just kidding! How about a distraction, like something attached on you antenae to attract them. Or, your rear hatch is big enough to transport a portable feeder...like some 2x4s cut and crossed.
(Bird lover here)