Under Attack!
By Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21737)
Canada
June 7, 2016 6:05am CST
Walking our dog Fifi has lead to some interesting encounters over the years. Some have been pleasant some not so pleasant. The most memorable occurred one morning about two years ago.
We set out on our normal walk, down the street and past the park, when I spotted a small bird in the middle of the road (not a busy street this early in the morning).
I went a little closer to see if I could identify this small bird. I wasn't certain, but I was going to guess that it was a fledgling blue jay. Fifi would have liked to check out this small, obviously in distress, young bird.
Looking around, trying to spot the parents of this bird I spotted a Jay sitting on the power lines beside the road. At that same moment another Jay came flying at my head from behind. In seconds both of these Blue Jays were buzzing me, actually striking me several times.
Honest, I meant their young chick no harm..I wasn't that close, but they obviously felt that I was a threat. It was at least a block farther down the road before the attack ended.
That confirmed the identity of the baby bird. It was a fledgling that was having trouble getting off the ground. Mama and Papa had no intention of letting a big scary human anywhere close to their precious baby.
Who would have thought that adventure was so close to home?
17 people like this
15 responses
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
8 Jun 16
quite protective behaviour - shame they didn't realize you were on their side - hope the baby got up ok in the end
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
I did not stick around to see. Neither did I see a splot on the road.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
7 Jun 16
i bet that was a purty scary event fer both yerself'n the pup. those birds're purty protective'f their young'uns. mockin'birds 'round here tend to be the ones to be'n the lookout fer 'round here. used to've 'em nestin' out'n the front (may still be?? i rarely go out'n the front, lol), they'd get purty adamant 'bout bein' 'round "their" tree.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
9 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt they'll sure do that! i'm glad that'cha weren't severely injured, hon. i dunno though, us momma's can get purty testy when we believe our young'uns're'n harms way.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
It was actually quite frightening. Those birds kept flying at my head.. They struck me several times before they felt that I was far enough from their baby.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt Blue Jays can be bullies when it comes to bird feeders. I remember when there used to be a ten cent bounty on Blue Jays. That was over 49 years ago.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I see blue Jays at my bird feeder all the time. They seem quite harmless. That day I was not feeling too enamoured with those Jays....they were scary.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457918)
• Switzerland
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt The birds can become quite aggressive. I was attacked by a crow one day. I was feeding ducks and the crow wanted to steal their food. I tried to protect the food and the crow attacked me.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I was prepared to help that baby off the roadway if necessary, until the mama and papa felt that I was a threat. Then I quickly moved along
1 person likes this
And seems like there was so much of adventure that happened today.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
They are an attractive bird. That day I would not have described them as cute.
1 person likes this
@shubhu3 (36464)
• New Delhi, India
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt Yeah it is.Ya I understand that day's scenario. :)
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
7 Jun 16
Well that would have been scary- like a scene from the movie----"Birds" so glad you survived it unscathed.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
The movie the birds did come to mind. When two good sized blue Jays are repeatedly flying at your head and striking you.....it's time to move along....quickly.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt I'd of been pretty noisy myself- and scared---hahaha!
@koopharper (7476)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I see small birds attacking all the time. Thankfully I'm not the one they're after. Usually it is one of the local ravens.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
It was not much fun to be the object of their attacks. When two good sized blue Jays are buzzing you and you know they mean business.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
I did not deliberately put myself in their path. I was happy to mov along and let them be.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
7 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt It has been a long time since I have seen any Jays around here.Did the movie ''The Birds '' come to your mind?
@silvermist (19702)
• India
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt When you see the Jays on a daily basis and you are attacked by one of them,(for whatever reason),it is scary.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
Yes, the movies "The Birds" did come to. One. I see Blue Jays on a daily basis. They are nesting in the tres near our home.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
Not a fun encounter...the baby jay was rather sweet, until mama and papa decided I was a threat.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
They were very brave...they definitely encouraged me to leave the scene....with speed.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325594)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun 16
I marvel that such small birds will do everything in their (small) power to keep harm from their babies.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I do know the feeling. I will go to grant lengths to keep my children and grandchildren safe.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
poor hatchling, but nice that the parent birds did not hurt you.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
The only reason I was not hurt was because I felt making a hasty retreat was my safest option.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
8 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt oh, so those birds are threat to man? i have not yet been 'driven away' by a bird, or a fowl for that matter
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Jun 16
Yeah that would have freaked me out a bit. Birds are very protective of their young. I'll often see them chasing other birds that come close to their nests. Funny to watch the smaller birds chasing after the larger ones.
