Folk omens about what the titmouse knocking on the window means are often contradictory. Therefore, the meaning of this action can be considered both a good and an evil omen.
Signs of a tit knocking on a window
Most often, a titmouse knocking on the window was perceived as a harbinger of good news. But in some areas, a substitution of concepts has occurred, and a bird knocking on the window is considered to be bringing misfortune along with the bird that flew in through the window. Most likely, this happened because of the symbol that has a window in signs and rituals. It was through the window in the old days that the coffin with the deceased was carried out. Thus, the window was a door between the world of the living and the world of the dead, a kind of connection between these two worlds.
With the exception of the unclean bird, crows, all other birds have long been considered the souls of the dead.
The titmouse was not attributed to the superstition of negative traits, on the contrary, its name is close to the Blue Bird - the messenger of happiness. Thus, the titmouse knocking on the window more likely foreshadowed good events than bad ones.
But since the attitude to the window in ancient times was ambiguous, the knocking bird could be perceived as a soul that came from the other world, warning about something important or wanting to take someone else's soul with it. Ravens and cuckoos were endowed with especially negative traits; these birds, knocking on the window, foreshadowed great grief.
In order to ward off trouble, they put bunches of rowan in each window opening. This tree has long been considered capable of warding off any misfortune.
To divert the negative meaning of omens, there were their own rituals. After the titmouse knocked on the glass, it was necessary to collect all the bread in the house and carry it to the church, giving it to the birds. By this, it was believed, a person could pay off misfortune and take him away from home and family.
To get rid of the prophesied misfortune, they put on a board from the street to the windows, as if nailed them up. Then all family members, including pets, were taken away from the house. The house remained empty for a couple of hours, so that the trouble came and found nothing. Then, upon returning, the cat was first allowed into the house, as if re-settling into it.
Real reasons why a bird might knock on a window
Most often, birds knock on glass when cold weather sets in. In the summer, they are busy raising chicks and do not come close to human habitation, independently obtaining food. With the onset of cold weather, hunger and cold forces these birds to seek food from the dwelling of a person, who, moreover, often hangs feeders on the windows or nearby trees.
The bird, sitting on the windowsill, feels how warmth blows from the cracks in the window and smells of food. Her natural desire is to warm up and eat, in order to get inside, she taps the walls and glass in search of an entrance to the inside.
During the winter, smart tits can notice where food appears in the trough and signal that food has run out by knocking on the glass. From the point of view of common sense, there are no negative reasons for the behavior of the bird.
