A Texas neighborhood has been terrorized by a pair of territorial birds attacking walkers, runners, and bikers since late May.
The birds, identified as Mississippi Kites, have been attacking passersby in the Timarron neighborhood off E. Continental Blvd, and while many of the instances appear to be fly-bys, some residents are reporting birds running directly into them, and even drawing blood.
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Lou Romano told CBS he has been attacked a couple of times. He says, "You don’t see it approaching you. You don’t hear it, and all of a sudden you get hit in the head, pretty good. Felt like someone threw a softball and hit me in the head."
As to what the city's plans are regarding the birds, unfortunately there is not a whole lot they can do, as federal law protects birds once a nest is established.
Brad Hazelton, the bird curator at the Fort Worth Zoo, explains, "You can do things to discourage them from nesting in the area, but once they have a nest with eggs you can’t legally touch it. So you just have to let nature run its course at that point."
As far as how residents can best protect themselves from the Kites, Sam Kieschnick, an urban wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, recommends wearing a large hat, or even carrying an umbrella.
And unfortunately, even after the chicks leave the nest, Hazelton says Kites will often return to the same spot, so it looks like these residents will be dealing with the birds for a while.
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