Walking down the street, you don't bother anyone. Suddenly – a blow to the head. Cawing, flapping wings, sharp pain. A raven attacks. Or a seagull, or even a sparrow. Attacks by birds on people in cities are not a myth. It's a reality in spring and summer months. Especially often in May and June. Why do birds attack? Who is to blame? And what to do if a feathered aggressor dive bombs you? Let's figure it out.

Why do birds attack people

The main reason is the protection of offspring. In May and June, most birds have chicks. Crows, seagulls, thrushes, sparrows, crows – they become aggressive if a person approaches the nest. The bird sees a threat and attacks to drive it away. In the city, nests are often located low – on trees, under roofs, on balconies, in ventilation openings. A person passes by, not knowing about the nest, but the bird considers him an enemy.

The second reason is the protection of the feeding territory. For example, seagulls guard places where they find food (dumps, markets, quays). If a person gets too close, he may be pecked with a beak.

The third reason is habituation to people. Birds that are fed stop being afraid and may aggressively beg for food. Crows in the center of Moscow can easily pull a bun out of your hand.

The fourth is rabies (rarely, but it happens with birds). Symptoms: the bird does not fear people, circles in place, falls, drools. Such individuals should be avoided.

In 2026, spring was early, there were many chicks, and there are expected to be more attacks than usual.

Which birds attack most often

First place – corvids. Crows, magpies, jackdaws, crows. They are smart, aggressive, act in a group. A raven can peck with its beak in the head or back, scratch with its claws. Sometimes it chases a person for up to 100 meters. The magpie is also quite a character: it attacks suddenly, more often from behind.

Second place – seagulls. In coastal cities (St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Vladivostok) seagulls attack people, protecting their chicks. The wingspan is up to 1.5 meters, the beak is sharp, the blow can injure the face, eyes. In 2022, a seagull pecked out an eye of an elderly woman in St. Petersburg (a single case, but terrifying).

Third place – sparrows and thrushes. Small but cheeky. They can dive bomb the head, peck at the forehead. Especially in the breeding season (June). Fourth – pigeons. Usually harmless, but if a person takes their chick or climbs into the pigeon loft, they can hit with a wing.

Fifth – predatory birds. Hawks, eagles, peregrines. There are few of them in the city, but they attack if a person gets too close to the nest (for example, on the roof of a skyscraper).

How to avoid an attack

Rule #1: do not approach nesting sites. If you see a raven that is worried (cawing, jumping from branch to branch, looking at you) – move away. There may be a nest nearby. Do not stand under trees during the nesting season (May-June).

Rule #2: do not feed birds by hand (especially crows and seagulls). They get used to it and start demanding food aggressively. Feed only in special feeders, at a height.

Rule #3: protect your head. During attacks, wear a cap, baseball cap, hood, an open umbrella (transparent – so you can see). Do not wear bright, shiny jewelry – birds react to them.

Rule #4: move calmly. Do not run, wave your hands – this provokes. Move away slowly, do not look into the bird's eyes (a direct look is a challenge).

Rule #5: follow the information. Residents often write about aggressive birds in specific places on social networks. In Moscow, for example, there is a map of raven nests (compiled by amateur ornithologists).

What to do if a bird attacks

First: do not panic. Screams and running will provoke the bird. Second: protect your face and eyes – cover them with your hand or lift your collar. Third: move back slowly, without turning your back. Fourth: if the bird pecks with its beak, try to ward off with an umbrella, a bag, but not sharply, so as not to injure the bird (it is protecting its children).

If a bird has bitten you, wash the wound with water and soap, treat it with hydrogen peroxide. If it's deep – go to the trauma center (bird beaks are dirty, infection can be transmitted). Crows and seagulls carry salmonella, campylobacter. The wound can become inflamed.

If a bird has injured your eye or face – go to the doctor immediately. Antibiotics and a tetanus vaccine may be needed.

Do not try to kill or catch a bird. It is illegal (most species are protected by law). You may receive a fine (up to 5000 rubles) or even a criminal charge (cruelty to animals).

Myths about bird attacks

Myth 1: birds attack because of rabies. Truth: rabies in birds is extremely rare (they are not mammals). More often, the attack is to protect the nest.

Myth 2: crows avenge the killed relatives. Truth: corvids do recognize faces and can remember enemies. But they do not avenge, they protect the territory.

Myth 3: if you feed birds, they will stop attacking. Truth: feeding, on the contrary, increases aggression – birds demand food.

Myth 4: birds attack only bald people. Truth: there are observations that crows often attack shiny heads (reflecting light), but this is not proven.

Myth 5: a hood with eyes on the back helps against attacks. Truth: it works for some birds (crows) – they are afraid of "eyes" at the back. But not for all.

Where to complain about aggressive birds

If a bird attacks systematically and poses a danger (for example, a nest directly above the entrance to the elevator), contact: the management company (cut the branch, install a protective net). The housing inspection, if they do not act. The Department of Natural Resources (in Moscow – Mospriroda) – they can move the nest. But only after the chicks have flown (otherwise they will die).

Writing to the police is useless – it is not their competence. To the Rospotrebnadzor – if there is a threat of infection (for example, seagulls attack near trash cans).

It is important: do not demand that birds be killed. It is cruel. Demand measures to deter: light lasers, acoustic deterrents, installation of spikes on the cornices where nests are built.

How to help a bird and not get hurt

If you see a chick on the ground (fledged but not flying), do not touch it. It is likely that it is learning to fly, the parents are nearby. There is no threat. If the chick is naked and blind – it has fallen out of the nest. If you can, put it back (in gloves). If the nest is out of reach – leave it in a shaded place, the parents will find it.

Do not pick up chicks at home – you cannot feed them properly (special feed, every hour). It is better to call an ornithologist or a center for the rehabilitation of wild birds.

If you accidentally destroyed a nest (tree pruning, roof repair), try to restore at least the outline. Birds can rebuild.

Statistics: how many people suffer from birds

There is no accurate statistics. In Moscow, there are about 100 visits to trauma centers each year due to bird bites. In Petersburg – 150-200. Across Russia – up to 2000. But this is only those who have sought help. Real incidents are more.

No fatal cases from bird attacks have been registered. But there are serious injuries to the eyes, scalp, wounds to the bone. Children and the elderly are more often affected – they do not have time to react.

In 2025, a raven attacked a stroller with an infant in Voronezh – pecked in the forehead. The mother managed to ward it off. The chick was in a tree nearby.

Conclusion: neighborliness, not war

Birds in the city are not enemies. They are part of the ecosystem. Attacks are also stressful for them. Do not hate crows and seagulls. Respect their space. Do not walk under trees in parks in spring and early summer, do not feed by hand, protect your head. And remember: their season of aggression lasts only 1.5-2 months. And we are guests in their home.

If you are attacked, do not panic. Leave and treat the wound. And – thank you for not burning the nest. Smart birds will remember.

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