OMG--I NEVER knew this!
Jan 5, 2019 13:18:42 #
Jan 5, 2019 13:41:35 #
Jan 5, 2019 14:00:42 #
OMG I didn't either, primarily because most of it is BS. Anything bigger, stronger, armed with teeth,claws or talons is potentially dangerous. As a life time birder with literally thousands of hours in the field I have never been attacked by any bird of prey. I have been attacked by Mutes Swans and Canada Geese in parks where they loose their fear of humans. I don't know about Ostrich or Emu attacks, I have never seen one in the wild but considering their size I would just out of common sense stay away from one. Oh, by the way there is no such thing as a Great Northern Loon. 
Jan 5, 2019 14:33:48 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
...
Oh, by the way there is no such thing as a Great Northern Loon.
...
Oh, by the way there is no such thing as a Great Northern Loon.
Just another name, to some.
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190342
Jan 5, 2019 14:47:01 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
OMG I didn't either, primarily because most of it is BS.
So, you're saying this article is fake news, the ornithologist was NOT killed, The Guinness Book of World Records is full of shit, all because YOU'VE never been attacked? Ok, sure, that's logical. I've never been attacked by a crocodile...that doesn't prove that it doesn't happen.
Jan 5, 2019 15:21:40 #
sbohne wrote:
So, you're saying this article is fake news, the ornithologist was NOT killed, The Guinness Book of World Records is full of shit, all because YOU'VE never been attacked? Ok, sure, that's logical. I've never been attacked by a crocodile...that doesn't prove that it doesn't happen.
Oh, I've stepped on a sensitive toe. Sorry. My research failed to turn up any reliable report of anyone being stabbed to death by a Common Loon. If such a thing had happened it would certainly made the rounds of the birding community. More important are the concepts of capable of causing harm and dangerous. What concerns me is not if people believe me, but if some ignorant people believe the article and declare open warfare on raptors and because they can't tell the difference between an immature Bald Eagle(which was not listed) and a Red-tailed Hawk so shoot them all.
Red-tailed Hawks seldom kill prey larger than Cotton-tailed Rabbits. Barred Owls general eat nothing larger than mice size prey. How many pictures have been posted on UHH of Red-tailed Hawks and Barred Owls. Would have to take a poll but none of them reported an attack in their comments.
Jan 5, 2019 17:31:17 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Oh, I've stepped on a sensitive toe. Sorry. My research failed to turn up any reliable report of anyone being stabbed to death by a Common Loon.
Must have been an Urban Legend...NOT!
Jan 5, 2019 17:37:37 #
sbohne wrote:
Must have been an Urban Legend...NOT!
OMG again. That is the same post I'm commenting on. You can't use the same source as proof of your argument.
Jan 5, 2019 17:42:13 #
I had a link to a story about a snowy owl attack, but when I tried to post it, it didn't work :(
Again, as the article says, these birds are not likely to attack you just because you are a human, but because you are either near their nest (very territorial) or because you are perceived to be after the same prey they are.
In Michigan, there are PRINTED stories of hawk attacks, and even a turkey attack. You don't think of turkeys as dangerous (unless you've eaten one left out unrefrigerated 5 days after Thanksgiving), but their talons are as sharp as knives. Sometimes I have to shoo them away so I can get my mail out of the mailbox. The guy across the street is a hunter, and he told me to be careful. He's seen hunters rushed to the emergency room because a turkey damn near gutted them. I am not a hunter, so I'm just gonna take his word for it. And almost ALL swans can get pissed off enough to attack you. It happened to my sister at the friggin' duck pond, for gosh sakes!
Again, as the article says, these birds are not likely to attack you just because you are a human, but because you are either near their nest (very territorial) or because you are perceived to be after the same prey they are.
In Michigan, there are PRINTED stories of hawk attacks, and even a turkey attack. You don't think of turkeys as dangerous (unless you've eaten one left out unrefrigerated 5 days after Thanksgiving), but their talons are as sharp as knives. Sometimes I have to shoo them away so I can get my mail out of the mailbox. The guy across the street is a hunter, and he told me to be careful. He's seen hunters rushed to the emergency room because a turkey damn near gutted them. I am not a hunter, so I'm just gonna take his word for it. And almost ALL swans can get pissed off enough to attack you. It happened to my sister at the friggin' duck pond, for gosh sakes!
Jan 5, 2019 17:54:15 #
I agree. I have been knocked down by Canada Geese while trying to band the goslings, I have been attacked by Cooper's and Goshawks while counting eggs and banding chicks. My argument is that just because something is capable of doing harm that does not make it dangerous. By labeling an animal "Dangerous" creates an atmosphere of fear in many people. The narrative in the link is at best deceitful and at worst outright lies. Another way to look at it is: Capable of doing harm is an Army Ranger, Dangerous is a serial killer.
Jan 5, 2019 19:37:08 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
I agree. I have been knocked down by Canada Geese ... (show quote)
I completely agree with you. I respect the ability these birds have but think the worst of them are the swans and Canada Geese.
But really I thought the article was bs as well.
Jan 6, 2019 08:16:55 #
Yes, this is fake news. For example, falcons typically eat small mammals and birds. The idea that one is going to swoop down and sever a person's spinal cord is ridiculous. I hate to think someone might believe this crap and fear birds because of it, or even do harm to them. If you want real info about birds, I recommend this site operated by Cornell University https://www.allaboutbirds.org/search/?q=falcon.
Jan 6, 2019 11:16:03 #
Birds are like any other animal in that they will attack if they preceive that you are a threat to their nest or young. Humans will do the same, never ever get between moma and her babies, whether it be human, wild animal or birds. Treat them all with respect and there will never be a problem.
Jan 6, 2019 12:05:53 #
Jan 6, 2019 17:45:48 #
sbohne wrote:
Why isn't Rodan on this list. Oh wait - that was a class z movie filmed in Japan back in the 50s. Back then it was kind of scary if you were 8 years old. Not nearly as scary as "The Creature From the Black Lagoon". I am 75 now and I still think it is kind of scary !!
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