Walkers and runners near Mile Zero are being warned to cover their heads and move quickly after two reported attacks.
Walkers and runners along a stretch of Dallas Road near Mile Zero are being warned to cover their heads and move quickly.
The threat? An aggressive owl in the area.
The City of Victoria received a report in early October about a barred owl attacking the same person twice in three days on the pedestrian and bike path along Dallas Road near Douglas Street, spokesperson Colleen Mycroft said in a statement.
Signs were put up in the area advising people to be alert, move through the space quickly and cover their head and hair, noting that owls are most active at dawn and dusk.
Ann Nightingale, a volunteer with the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, said while there are reports of aggressive owl behaviour every year, this is an unusual time for it.
Owls tend to be more aggressive while breeding and nesting in the spring, when they’re protective of their young, she said. In the Dallas Road case, it could be a territorial owl or just a “playful youngster” practising.
The amount of daylight at this time of year is similar to spring, which can cause some birds to act like they do in spring, Nightingale said, adding young songbirds can sometimes be heard practising the songs in fall that they’ll be using in the spring.
The barred owl population has increased over the years and they have to fight to maintain their territory, so some owls try to establish their territory earlier than usual, she said.
“Maybe it’s had to defend it against other owls recently and so it’s just being protective of it.”
Barred owls seem to be attracted to ponytails and pom-poms on hats that can resemble prey, she said — they see that “bouncy item” and think it’s dinner, not realizing it’s attached to a person.
Barred owls are much smaller than people think — a large one weighs about 800 grams — but they look bigger, so they can be quite frightening, “especially if it’s coming right for you.”
A barred owl isn’t likely to carry away a cat or a small dog, but their sharp talons can definitely cut skin, she said. Since the birds normally attack from behind, if you see the owl, it’s less likely to come after you.
Putting buttons on the back of a hat to resemble eyes can be a good way to prevent an attack, Nightingale said. An umbrella also makes for good protection.
It’s not the first owl to spook runners in Greater Victoria.
In March 2013, at least three runners lost their hats to a barred owl that swooped down and snatched them off their heads as they ran through Beacon Hill Park.
Sidney warned residents about an aggressive owl in one of its parks in 2023.
Victoria parks staff is continuing to monitor the owl and will remove the signs when the aggressive activity subsides, Mycroft said.
Any incidents can be reported to the parks department at 250-361-0600.