Aggressive Birds | Living With Wildlife

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Aggressive Birds

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SPECIES
Nearly all birds will display aggressive behavior when they perceive a threat to their nest or young. Birds that nest in close proximity to people; the Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, Gray Catbird, and Blue Jay, are the most frequent assailants, and the mockingbird is without a doubt the most zealous, harassing, people, domestic animals, and other birds.

Terns, gulls, Northern Goshawks, Red-tailed and Broad-winged hawks, and Peregrine Falcons also attempt to intimidate intruders that trespass into their nesting territory.

BEHAVIOR
Defensive behavior toward people can take the form of loud vocalizations, feigning injury, or pursuing or attacking the intruder. The vigor with which a bird defends its territory depends on the species.

TIME OF YEAR
Birds are most aggressive towards humans during the nestling period (the interval between hatching and the young bird's departure from the nest), a span of about two weeks in common backyard nesters. Some birds (e.g., robins, mockingbirds, cardinals) can produce two or three broods a season; as a result, their defensive behavior may occur in the spring and again in mid- to late summer.

Mockingbirds also display territorial behavior in fall and winter when they are protecting a source of food such as a bush laden with berries. If there are bird feeders within a mockingbird's feeding territory, other birds will be driven off, even though the mockingbird has no interest in the food offered at the feeder.

SITUATIONS AND SOLUTIONS

When being harassed by a mockingbird, robin, catbird, or Blue Jay, patience and understanding are the best ways of coping with the situation. Remember, the behavior will last only as long as the young are in the nest, about two weeks.

If possible, stay out of the area of the nest. Use another door, move lawn furniture or children's toys to a different location in the yard, etc.

For short journeys into the bird's territory, carry an open umbrella to discourage the birds.

For longer periods in the vicinity of a protective parent bird, use a helium-filled Mylar balloon tied to a belt or hat, and extended two or three feet above the head. The movement of the balloon will frighten the bird.

To avoid being harassed by a bird of prey or seabird, stay out of the area for at least six weeks, at which point the young are flying and the adults feel less threatened.

If a person or pet is actually struck and the skin is broken, the wound should be washed and treated with antiseptic. Birds do not carry rabies or other diseases communicable in this way.

BIRDS AND THE LAW
All birds are protected by federal laws under the "Migratory Bird Act of 1918," as well as by Massachusetts state laws. It is illegal to destroy, relocate or possess birds, their nests or their eggs. The only exceptions are non-native species: House Sparrow, European Starling, and Pigeon. Trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who have passed a federal and/or state-administered test, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife.

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