Ok, the title can be a bit misleading but still... it's the truth!

For approximately the last two week I've been attack by a red winged black bird (thanks [MENTION=190611]joeyduck[/MENTION] for finding the english name, in french it's a ''carouge à épaulette'') The bird is aiming for the blinky on my helmet. It has to be the same bird because the 'attack' happens almost every morning in front of the same tree. Here it is:


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater


I'm not sure the link will work,I know nothing about computer. If not,let me know.

It works. That is funny!

Ohh silly birds. I enjoyed that, at least it is not something bigger, that could really mess your balance.

I do not think I deserve credit, I thought someone else posted it first. But thanks!

Have a nice ride.

I think he just wants your blinky! :-)

It makes me wonder if it is just you or this bird attacks others passing through there.

It's awesome how you can see him at first do the fly over in the opposite direction and then come back in for the smack-down.

You're not alone! I have been getting attacked by birds for the last few weeks while running and biking. It's a little startling when you're running/biking along and a bird flies into the back of your head!

Some birds can recognize people, and they hold a grudge. I'll bet that bird thinks you did something to him or his nest and he's chasing you off every day.

Is it the blinky? Have you tried cycling that section with the light off?

I removed the blinky completely one morning but the bird still attacked me. I've been told that the bird may see me as a threat of some kind so that's why he goes at me.

I know... it's personal

Don't know about that particular species. But blackbirds around here get very protective when you get too near their nests.

Another great example of why you should always wear a helmet.

An article in a local newspaper last weeks said occasionally crows will do the same thing. I think its a nesting thing, in that they think we are getting too close.

red-winged black birds are very territorial. If you have any kind of color on your helmet it will view you as an invader and will continue to 'attack' you until you leave its territory. For the most part, they may just scratch the top of your helmet and you can keep on riding. If it _really_ bothers you, try to get rid of that red on the back of your helmet (not the blinkie) and don't wear a colorful shirt. You have a black helmet with red on it. You are clearly an invading bird!

its nesting season, you are a known egg eater.

+1

The attacking bird will disappear when the young are raised. He attacks from the same tree because the nest is located in there.

It has happened to me. Always the same location, in the spring. Then it just stops. The birds have a nest nearby and you are traveling close to it. Try the other side of the road. I my case they were Perrier Falcons (spelling?) and I was going over the same bridge at the same end. When the chicks leave the nest, they don't bother me anymore. Some kind of sticks with Christmas tree tinsel on the ends will keep them off the helmet.

Around here mockingbirds exhibit this behavior with crows. I think it's your black helmet cover.

Im a bird lover!
I love that vid! Thanks for posting.
There are several species of birds that will attack if they feel threatened or a threat to young.
I have personally witnessed catbirds and Robins assemble a posse and divebomb feral cats in what seems like only three seconds.
Crazy stuff From nothing, than "1, 2, 3" to a scene from The Birds!!"

I remember from a nature documentary years ago, that red-winged blackbirds flash their red spots at each other to vie for territory. The did an experiment on the birds by blacking out their red spots, and the birds could no longer compete. I wonder if it's reacting to the red of the blinky. It'd be an interesting experiment to cover it up, and see how the bird reacts.

cute. nice job filming, as you said very predictable. I especially like the fly-over that precedes the hit.

consider it reported

can you mount that camera rear facing on the helmet so we can get a mugshot of the culprit?

Great stuff
I will try to send your video to a "bird nut" friend of mine.

Oh,my wife reads some french-well claims she does.
She says you wrote
"your great fear is it will make you crash" ok think she got that right
"And you paid 217 something or others for your bike" now that- $217 Canadian dollars-?? Your listed bikes seem pricier than that??
Maybe she got that wrong?

In any case-funny video-
"bird nuts" everywhere will appreciate it-

^^^

He says his biggest fear is that the bird will grab his back. A big worm at 215 pounds.

That happened here at a Park District building, and they had to close that part of the parking lot off until the young were ready to fly away.