Walking down the street, you don't touch 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, even 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 (dumpsters, markets, waterfronts). If a person gets too close, he may get pecked.

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 easily pull a bun out of your hand.

The fourth is rabies (rarely, but it can happen). 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 at the head or back, scratch with 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), — step back. It's likely there is 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 to demand 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 (clear 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 the bird in the eyes (direct eye contact is a challenge).

Rule #5: keep an eye on 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. Screaming and running will provoke the bird. Second: protect your face and eyes — cover them with your hand or lift your collar. Third: move away slowly, without turning your back. Fourth: if the bird pecks at you 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, you can get an infection). Crows and seagulls carry salmonella, campylobacter. The wound may 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 the protection of the nest.

Myth 2: crows avenge the deaths of their 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, enhances 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 building), contact: the management company (cutting a branch, installing a protective screen). To the housing inspection, if they do not act. To 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 dumpsters).

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 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 probably 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 and take them 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 exact 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 recorded. 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 at the forehead. The mother managed to ward 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. In spring and early summer, do not walk under trees in parks, 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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