Swooping myna bird terrorises Vermont neighbours
Neighbours in a Vermont street are arming themselves with sticks to protect against an “aggressive” bird that has been swooping people for three years. The latest victim, an 11-year-old boy, is now too scared to go outside.
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A “ferocious” bird is terrorising people in a quiet Whitehorse suburban street.
Pedestrians and cyclists have begun arming themselves on their travels, while others are too scared to go out on foot, fearing attacks from the feathered terrorist.
Melinda Mcgingley’s 11-year-old son “came home screaming” on Tuesday, September 17, after he was set upon by the bird as he passed the intersection of Denis and Scott streets on his way to school.
The bird repeatedly yanked his short hair as he ran for cover.
Ms Mcgingley said her son had since become scared of going out, and was not the only one fearing the aggressive avian.
“This bird has just got the worst rep around our area,” she said.
Ms Mcgingley said the bird had been preying on anyone who passed during swooping season for the past three years, and neighbours had taken to arming themselves with sticks as they passed no man’s land.
“If you stand on the corner you will see people get attacked by it,” she said.
“It attacks so many people, it’s just ridiculous.”
She said one of her neighbours was scared getting in and out of her car after she was attacked.
“She’s got her stick, too,” Ms Mcgingley said.
“This bird is nasty. It’s so aggressive.”
Ms Mcgingley has asked Whitehorse Council to remove the bird, without success.
“Why should a bird get precedent over a child?” she said.
Whitehorse general manager corporate services Peter Smith said the council was limited in what action it could take because native birds were protected by law.
“If a bird is found to be extremely aggressive and causing injuries to people, council can apply to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for an order to destroy the bird, however the orders are not often granted,” he said
He said the council had received two complaints about swooping birds in the past couple of weeks.
Wildlife rescuer Emma Cash, who runs rescue shelter Bungalook Creek Wildlife, said she understood the birds caused angst, but people needed to remember humans “are on their patch”.
“We need to learn to live with these animals,” she said.
“They’re doing what every protective parent would do.”
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Ms Cash said swooping season was only a few months of the year, while relocating birds was often a death sentence.
Ms Cash advised people to avoid areas where birds were known to swoop, or to carry an umbrella to protect themselves.
To help people identify swooping hot spots, the State Government runs an online swooping register, where people can report a swooping bird to help others protect themselves.
Another register can also be found at www.magpiealert.com.
People have also taken to sharing the location of swooping birds in private Facebook groups, with some residents telling a Mitcham group they found it difficult to leave the house with the threat of the birds.
Swooping season typically runs from late August to early November, but Ms Cash said the lasting cold weather could mean this season goes slightly later.