U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aggressive Birds

Because of their size, speed, and hunting Hire an arborist to trim the tree before skills, birds of prey (raptors) have earned breeding season to discourage them from awe and respect from people of all walks nesting. of life. We see this admiration of raptors in names of sports teams such as the Legal Status “Eagles”, “Falcons”, and “Seahawks.” The birds listed above are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. It is illegal for any person to take, possess, transport, sell, or purchase them or their parts, such as feathers, nests, or eggs, without a permit. Red-tailed Hawk Tim Ludwick/USFWS Active nests (nests with eggs or chicks within) may not be touched or removed What to do if you encounter an without a permit from the U.S. Fish and aggressive bird Wildlife Service (USFWS). A nest may be Recognize the aggressive behaviors and active if a bird returns to the nest after 15- Red-tailed Hawk Tim Ludwick/USFWS remember that the bird is only trying to 20 minutes and “sits” on the nest. defend itself and it’s young. Removal of an inactive nest does not Most birds will exhibit aggressive require a permit to remove. Nest or bird behavior when they feel threatened. Birds If the bird is nesting, stay out of the removal permit applications must be that are guarding a nest are more likely to immediate area, if possible, until the justified with strong, compelling reasons response aggressively towards an young have fledged and the parents feel such as a health and safety hazard encroaching person or animal. The most less threatened. Make sure people are towards humans or birds. The USFWS frequent encounters involve birds such as aware of the birds by posting signs in the does not issue permits for nuisance birds. Northern Mockingbirds or raptors that area. You should not get too close or make their nests in and around human- attempt to handle wild birds. These birds populated areas. Northern Mockingbirds can be very strong and can potentially do and several species of raptors may display great damage to someone who seems this aggression towards humans during threatening to themselves or their young. the nesting season, approximately January-August. Some species are more Erect poles with flagging along walkways aggressive than others and may be prone that are in the vicinity of the nest. When to aggressive air-borne diving on venturing in or around the bird’s territory, intruders. carry an open umbrella or a stick with flags attached above your head. The Defensive Behavior raptors will attack the tallest object rather Individual birds defend themselves in than the person. Never use these objects different ways. When approached, some as weapons to attack the birds. birds may call loudly or hiss. The vocalizations are often at a higher pitch Place portable canopies over frequently- and a sharper note, sometimes repeated used walkways to provide further angrily until the disturbance ends. protection. In the event that a person or Red-shouldered Hawk Another behavior often exhibited by a pet is attacked by a bird and the skin is Tim Ludwick/USFWS distressed bird is posturing, in which the broken, wash the wound and treat it with bird puffs its feathers to make itself look antiseptic. Birds do not carry rabies or For further information about raptors and bigger and more threatening. In addition other diseases communicable in this way. other migratory bird concerns, please to this, the bird may anxiously weave back contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Recommendations for the future and forth. If these threat postures fail to Pacific Southwest Region, Division of deter a perceived intruder, then the bird Destroy the nest after the birds and young Migratory Birds and Habitat at 916/978- may lunge or dive bomb, using its wings, have all left. During the next breeding 6183 or email at [email protected]. talons, and bill to attack. season, you may prevent birds from nesting in the area by destroying the nests as they attempt to build one. Be cautious of attacks during this time as well.