Retro Grouch 

While riding on a local MUP this morning I had a bird either attack or try to make love to my helmet twice. It did it once on the way out and again on the trip back to my truck. I never saw the bird so I don't know what kind it was I just heard it's "squak" and felt it banging my bright red helmet.

Beverly

If it was a cardinal maybe it thought it had found a mate

Beverly

At least it didn't use the helmet as a bathroom I had that happen a couple years ago and thought I was going to toss my toenails before I could get the helmet off

Retro Grouch 

Another good argument for wearing a helmet.

PrairieDog

Most likely you were too close (in the bird's opinion) to a nest. They get especially agitated when the babies are getting ready to fledge.

In a week or so, they may calm down. Unless it's a grackle--they seem to stay agitated the entire nesting season--sometimes I have to change my running routes.

Most of the time the birds attack the highest point, and they are more "warning" you than attacking--so as long as you are wearing your helmet, you should be unscathed.

Always scares the bejeezus out of me, but I tend to cut them some slack, figuring, "hey, it's only a run/ride for me. It's life or death stuff for the birds."

Actually, the truth is, I think it's kind of cool a little bird is willing to take on big old me in order to defend a nest.

cranky old dude

Bird brain?

maddmaxx 

Just a little taste of what Hitchcock was thinking.

Artkansas 

Many birds are very territorial. I've seen sparrows and mockingbirds harrying crows. Why should you be any less of a danger to them than a crow?

Retro Grouch 

I thought about that movie as I finished the ride back to my truck.

MTBLover

Funny- I've never had other birds bug me on the road, except cardinals. I also wear a red helmet- cardinal red, in fact. Even mockingbirds (arguably the most territorial birds around) leave me alone. I agree that territorality and/or protection of the youngn's have something to do with this, but I can't help but believe that the red helmet does too.

one_beatnik

The ones around here (Iowa) that do that are the red winged black birds. On the highway, they just hover about 5-10 feet overhead and squawk. On the MUP they will attack the helmet.

rdmjr

It could be worse - the last three times I've been out riding, I've had one or two buzzards circling above me along a 2 to 3 mile stretch. I guess I must look about as close to dead as my legs have been feeling at that point! The second of those three times, I didn't even make it a 1/2 mile before a small bird (thankfully not one of the buzzards!) did almost what Beverly suggested, except it hit me on my shirt, not the helmet. Still, if that's the worst that happens, it's a good day.
- Bob

ollo_ollo

Just mount one of those plastic owls on your rack....Problem solved!

Louis

Maybe that's why Sheldon mounted that Eagle on his helmet. Once again he was way ahead of us.

TruF 

Speaking of birds, I was at an all-day training session yesterday, and one woman brought a box with baby hummingbirds that she is tending. They have to eat every 30 mins during daylight, so leaving them home was not an option. So cute! One story she told us was of a stupid woman who found a hummingbird nest with babies in her garden and cut it out of the bush, babies and all, and brought it to the bird rescue center because she didn't want bird poop in her yard. Hummingbird poop? I could kind of understand it if she was talking about pigeons, but sheesh!

Retro Grouch 

My wife tells me she has seen red winged black birds in the area. Are they ground nesters?

conurejade

As a veterinary nurse at a bird clinic, we have always supported our local wildlife centers and I have nothing but respect for what they do. Most of the people whowork with wildlife are volunteers who get the training and licensing required on their own time and at their own expense. Unfortunately your 'stupid woman' story and others like it are depressingly common.

Also, +1 on the possibility of the diving bird defending a nest site.

TruF 

Hi conurejade! Haven't heard from you in a while. Your job sounds so interesting and fulfilling.

one_beatnik

They usually nest close tot he ground, but I've seen them in the trees too. Usually the shorter trees and bushes. They like to be in the tall grass in the road ditches but still off the ground a foot or so. They also like to be in the marshy areas or near them.

Skullo 

More than likely red wing blackbirds. I have had them bang my helmet, and sometimes they will fly along right over me for some distance til I get out of their territroy. Then another one wil take over.If the sun is right you can see the shadow on the road beside you.

conurejade

I definitely love working with the birds and exotics - although many times dealing with the patient is much easier than dealing with the owners. Sometimes there's almost as much drama at work as there is here on BF.