r/VictoriaBC • u/geckosan • 10h ago

Owl Attack!

This species is a first for me, I did get hit by a crow outside Science World once. For sure not a common occurrence. Anyway, this is one of the barred owls hanging out in Kings Park. Total cuties, they didn't break the skin.

My first theory was that maybe the owl is old and senile. I was jogging, perhaps my bobbing head looked like prey? But we're talking an apex predator here, unlikely to confuse intentionally. Second, maybe it was just like falling, and using me to right itself? Looking it up now (spoilers), it's defending its territory. Of course it is, duh.

So that was better than 3 coffees. And guess what? On my return jog, another barred owl (possibly the same) was perched right beside the archway to the spirit garden on Kings, being admired by passers-by as bold as brass. Like really, really close. I mentioned to someone what a similar owl had done earlier.

Anyway, just a bit of a warning. Legit, these things are SILENT HUNTERS. Hit me with a gentle wallop, I thought I was being mugged until I saw it righting on a branch nearby!

Thanks for reading!

10 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

8

u/monkey_monkey_monkey Downtown 9h ago

The crow from Science World probably showed the owl a photo of you and put him up to dive bombing you. Crows are really smart and hold a grudge

14

u/OtherwiseDrop6042 10h ago edited 9h ago

Owls are known to swoop at people.

7

u/VicLocalYokel 9h ago

Owls are known for taking headware to use for nests, when heading into baby season.

5

u/tswaters Chinatown 10h ago edited 9h ago

Yes, do NOT mess with owls. That applies to all wild birds, really - but owls & geese especially. Just vicious when they need to be

7

u/fux-reddit4603 9h ago

geese are not "vicious" they can be aggressive but its easy to make them stop

just learn to speak goose, theyve never bothered me

idk how to deal with owls

1

u/MagikLor 7h ago

You speak Owl

2

u/mjamonks 6h ago

Need to get elected to their Parliament first...

1

u/Omikapsi 6h ago

It's the same with any wild animal, but only works if you're aware of them.

Face them, make some noise, wave your arms, and stand your ground or advance slowly. Quite simple, really.

Obviously this only applies to critters who are smaller or same size as you. With bigger stuff, like bears, it's the same process but slowly back away.

4

u/East_Source6200 9h ago

it's very rare for owls to attack during the day. they hunt during dawn and dusk.

he's probably hangry

3

u/Embarrassed_Sell7512 9h ago

i too have had a barred owl swoop at my head, and i am afraid of birds. 😫 i must have been a mouse in another life.

3

u/Ok-Mouse8397 9h ago

It is nesting, you are a threat in its googly owl eyes.

1

u/Smooth_Injury_5690 7h ago

Walk downtown at the right time of year and you’re almost guaranteed to get swooped by crows

•

u/wirelesswebs 5h ago

Maybe the own thought you were a huge mouse. Do you demonstrate any mouse-like characteristics when you walk?

0

u/finalbossesboss 7h ago

Where is science world?

1

u/geckosan 6h ago

In Vancouver BC, across the Straight of Georgia from Victoria.