Attacked by birds

[taboo]

My ds was attacked by bl**dy magpies in a park this afternoon, I heard him scream and I turned around to see one pecking at him and then fly off. It came back for another go at him, so I swung my handbag at it (I probably looked like a mad woman), and it finally left him alone - all because they are in nesting season.

His this happened to anyone else? It didn't attack me, and I'm twice as big as ds, bl**dy thing. The scary thing is that they tend to go for your eyes - ds now has some welts down his face (and right under his eye) where it attacked him. He's ok now but he was so terrified, I'm wondering if he'll have a fear of birds from now on.

Taboo glad he is ok. He must of been terrified. I cant offer any real advice but cyberhugs going to him. I wouldnt be suprised if he never went near a bird again.

poor your ds taboo. I wouldnt be suprised if his frightened of birds for a while aswell, poor him

Oh No what a horrid thing to happen, and I agree that this experience probably will make him scared of birds, Blimey if it had happened to me, at 30yrs, I'd be scared.
If I was you I'd start trying to reassure him about them ASAP, do you know anyone who has a budgie or similar small bird? you could let him stroke the bird, if that particular bird is willing, and hopefully he'll start to get abit more confident around them.

Poor little man.

I've been mobbed by birds (not magpies) when I was trying to pick up a fledgling that had fallen from its nest. I gave up on the fledgeling and defended my own chicks because the birds were attacking us all! I explained to ds that the baby bird's mummy and daddy and uncles and aunties didn't understand that we were trying to help it, so they chased us away. He was a bit anxious every time we passed the place for a few days.

But actually being physically hurt by the birds is a different matter. Recently ds was bitten 3 times by an impatient goose which couldn't wait for the bread ds was trying to throw to it. He was terrified, and I don't know what will happen next time we go to a duckpond.

My instinct is not to make a fuss, and not to make him face the fear or go to a similar environment for a little while. Maybe bring up the subject (if he's old enough, mine is) by reading a book or looking at pictures, and see if he wants to talk about it. Sometimes an explanation, however simplistic, can ease the fear of what must have seemed a strnage and uncontrollable event.

I don't have any advice but how terrible for him, I too would be scared of birds if they pecked at me for no apparent reason! I wonder if anyone else in your local area has had a similar problem with them, they should be made aware just incase it happens to another little one.

That sounds really scary, taboo. How's yoour ds doing? Has he mentiond it yet? Maybe it would be worth mentioning it to the council/park staff on the off chance there is something they can do, even if it's just warning posters.

I was mobbed by pigeons in Trafalgar Square when I was about 10. My parents sent me to buy some birdseed. One the birds spotted the seed they descended, making me a walking mass of birds, which quickly became a hysterical mass of birds. As I thrashed about, trying to get rid of them I spilled the seed, and yet more birds descended. My parents were laughing too much to step in and help me. It's funny now, but wasn't at the time. And no, I'm not frightened of birds as a result.....went off my parents for a while

I saw a tv report about people being attacked by seagulls. Apparently you can get singled out by a particular seagull who will then attack you every time you go out. Bizarre. Hope your ds is OK.

Jimjams, I read a similar newspaper report - it was about seagulls singling people out to attack - very scary! And I can believe it, I've seen them take food from people's hands down here. It would help if tourists didn't feed them - vile vermin (seagulls, not tourists!). Taboo, sorry to hear about your boy, poor thing.

Thanks everyone, he's ok today, the marks on his face have mostly gone away except for where the skin was broken under his eye. I did explain to him (pretty much straight after it attacked him) that the mummy/daddy bird was just trying to protect its babies, and they didn't really mean to hurt him. He seemed to understand a little bit but was still frightened & upset. It has become a real problem in some areas for people who have to walk/ride bikes through certain parks, they've had to wear bike helmets and glasses to protect their faces. I was a bit shocked that they would pick on someone so small though, I was walking right in front of ds and they only went for him. I'll just have to see how he reacts when there's birds around.

Hmb I had a similar experience when I went snorkelling & tried to feed the fish, I had a handful of bread and was descended upon by masses of reef fish who bit my fingers and I couldn't see where I was going. Was quite scary actually & I had a few nasty little bites on my fingers.

I didn't know about seagulls singling people out, how weird is that..?