As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday, 8 April 2016

Dive-bombing birds attacking heads of Florida retirees

Senior citizens are trying to protect themselves with hats and umbrellas


Red-shouldered hawks are attacking the heads of senior citizens at a Florida retirement community. And some seniors are wearing pith helmets and carrying umbrellas to escape the sharp talons.

The neighbors first felt the scrapes to their scalps last spring, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Apparently, the natural surroundings of Hernando County — with waterways and wildlife — attract both birds and retirees. They co-existed peacefully at first in the Spring Hill neighborhood, but then the birds started dive-bombing, according to the report.

Now the hawks, with a wingspan of about four feet, are drawing blood and sending the scared seniors to the doctor for tetanus shots.

"Somebody is going to get hit and die," neighbor George Nott told the Times. "I don't want to go to a funeral because of a bird."

Go to tampabay.com for the full story.


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