Invasion of the birdy snatchers - *feathered rats of the skies*

[LouiseTopp]

Does anyone else have this problem apart from the UK? I was minding my own business in st Ives, Cornwall and eating a pasty (BIG MISTAKE) one landed on my shoulder and javalined it making me drop it to the floor, while another feathered thug flew off with it. I certainly learned my lesson well, I always carry a water pistol now to shoot at them. Here are some links with more stories.

Number of attacks treble in summer as birds steal food from people to feed their chicks

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-season.html

Now who would be DAFT enough to leave expensive food out for that for birds?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ead-birds.html

I was held hostage in my own home for four days by SEAGULLS!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cking-her.html

Pope’s white doves of peace attacked by gull and crow after being released over St Peter’s Square

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...e-9086285.html

I have seen this myself, a gull swoop down on a bald headed man for no reason, perhaps he/she saw something the man didn't. He wasn't very happy through being pecked on the bonce.

http://www.theguardian.com/environme...seagull-attack

The return of the feathered yobbos

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2097681.stm

Hull gull attacks victim: 'Most frightening experience'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-23354036

Angry birds (not the game)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...kers-food.html

When seagulls attack - Belfast shoppers targeted by gulls (Not even safe in Ireland it sems)

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-29369570.html

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/411...alt-deliveries

Seagulls turn yobbish after getting drunk on flying ants

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Seagull...ail/story.html

[Shadowman]

I saw it in action at the pier in San Francisco. The birds would hover above, then the bird would swoop down on an unsuspecting victim who was trying to enjoy their lunch.

[chauncey]

When we, as humans, choose to intrude in another's home and then wave a treat under their nose...
do we have the right to complain when they help themselves to some of that treat. I think not.

[LouiseTopp]

I never knew they threw up over you in defence, horrible.

[Shadowman]

I never knew they threw up over you in defence, horrible.

They don't have talons so they use whatever means to make you keep your distance.

[LouiseTopp]

Seagull baby look strange balls of grey fluff (sorry seagull parents)

[TonyW]

We had to put netting around our verandah because a kookaburra perched nearby would watch until someone had a nice morsel about to go into the mouth a then swoop. They are not small birds either. If my computer wasn't broken I could post a picture of a kookaburra.

At a picnic recently a lizard, an eastern water dragon, ran up my son's arm and stole a sandwich out of his hand.

[LouiseTopp]

Mugged by animals, shocking. I think swans are now joining in here.

[jcuknz]

During my English childhood I was always cautious about swans ....
But my wife and I quite often buy a loaf or two of bread and park beside the beach and "the brave one takes the spoils"


On Sunday we went down the harbour to where dozens of birds wash themselves where a fresh water stream enters the harbour and I suspect dilutes the salt content. My wife got out of the car this time .....just a snap from the car with my 'car camera'

[lukaswerth]

Apart from the fact that the photographic issue seems to me only indirect: I am all with the seagulls! May they live happy and prosper on lunches from humans! And if you get mugged, consider this as a sacrifice to the God Of The Birds and eat something else. (By the way, I have here been mugged by a crow once - and I loved it! Sorry if this sounds weird.)

Lukas

[Tringa]

It is just a fact of life in many places now. Not that I am anti-bird, far from it.

In the UK the gull that is probably the most tolerant of humans is the herring gull. It has adapted very well to a number of urban areas where food is plentiful and while I don't think the gulls have the brain power of crows they do share one characteristic - they are grade A scavengers.

All they see in towns and many other places is a easy source of food - good luck to them. I can imagine if you have food almost taken out of your hand then it will be at least a bit scary; herring gulls are big, fast and manoeuvrable.

However, I still get fun from hand feeding a gull on scraps after I've finished my fish and chips at the seaside.

Dave

[IzzieK]

At one stage, my American friends visited me in Australia and I took them to Healesville Sanctuary where 3 emus mugged their lunches. It was so funny at the time that I kept taking pictures but it wasn't funny to them then. I wish I have my album so I can scan those photos but it is in my Melbourne house.