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Screams are bellowing out across some of Dubai’s busiest commercial and residential areas as crows continue to attack unsuspecting pedestrians.
In fact, even suspecting people—the writer of this article included—have felt the *thwack* of a crow atop our heads, try as we might to avoid them.
Bring your umbrella, wear your hats, and run for cover, because Hitchcock’s The Birds has come to life.
Crow attacks can be very serious—some might just feel like a slap on the head, other hits that break blood can require hospital attention and antibiotics.
“It’s terrifying. I’ve been scared to leave the office all day,” says Jody Hassan, a stylist who works in one of the plagued areas.
Crows have been reportedly attacking in Dubai Media City and Dubai Marina, with posts on Reddit about crow attacks continuing to appear.
Some people are resorting to delivery apps instead of venturing out for lunch, scared to risk their heads to the angry crows ready to dive-bomb from above.
Dubai isn’t the only place in the world that crows have been attacking people. Rome has been plagued with crow attacks recently, inspiring a large write up in the New York Times.
Perhaps most famously, the Western Canadian city of Vancouver has one of the most notorious crow populations, where there is even a tracking website that shows people where crows are currently attacking people so the areas can be avoided.
Why is this happening? There is actually a scientific explanation.
It is crow attack season, as the early months of summer are when crows nest, and thus are more protective of their young.
“Most crow attacks happen in May, June, July which is the nesting season for crows like many other song birds,” Derek Matthews, Chairman of the Vancouver Avian Research Centre told the Daily Hive.
“Crows are territorial and they’re particularly protective when young leave the nest. If they believe that any kind of threat is near – cats, dogs or people – they will attack.”
So don’t blame the crows—they’re just being good parents. But keep an eye out, because the second you stop paying attention, you may get hit in the head by a crow.
And honestly, 0/10, would not recommend.
Ow.
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