Strange

Chicago locals beware the birds

by AlanEvans | June 24, 2008 at 05:14 am

605 views | 7 Recommendations | 7 comments

Chicago residents have been sharing tips about how to avoid coming under attack by dive-bombing blackbirds.

Cyclists and pedestrians complain of being pecked after being chased for up to 100m (100 yards) by the creatures.

During nesting season, male red-winged blackbirds are known to defend their territory fiercely.

Some victims have made comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 thriller The Birds, and have named one of the worst offenders after the British director.

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Critical Todd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 06:51 on June 24th, 2008

Because it's happening to someone else, I can safely say that's awesome. I've giggling a good minute over the image in my head.

Beaulieu

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 07:57 on June 24th, 2008

AlanEvans, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Bryan Olesen

at 12:09 on June 24th, 2008

Quite the defenders of their territory. In wetland areas, it's not unusual to see Red-winged Blackbirds go up against Red-tailed Hawks and even huge Sandhill Cranes. Never witnessed any dive-bombing humans. Must be a tougher breed in Chicago...

Bryan Olesen has contributed a photo to this story.

BluAlien

at 12:28 on June 24th, 2008

I got attacked by a seagull once, and those are MUCH bigger than these little black birds are... I think it would only be a problem if they attack in groups?