![\"Fred](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NG5YDTQIVRFRBNFLNPEY3LSFII.png\")
Fred Haise statue crowned with spikes.(WLOX)![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MTXBX4XDYJCCDFMMV7E4AR3MWM.png\")
Texas residents Jim and Melanie Gault through the spikes were part of the statue’s design.(WLOX)<\/p>\nBILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) \u2014 The bronze statue of famed Biloxi native and Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise is an eye catcher and draws the attention of many tourists traveling Highway 90. But, the work of art often draws an eyebrow-raising question: what\u2019s that on his head?<\/p>\n
Fred Haise statue crowned with spikes.(WLOX)Texas residents Jim and Melanie Gault through the spikes were part of the statue’s design.(WLOX)<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, what the heck?\u201d said Candy Herring as she and her Texas family stood in front of the statue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was his hair,\u201d added Jim Gault, who is also visiting from Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid a bird build a nest on top of his head?\u201d asked Cheryl Bell, another tourist from Texas.<\/p>\n
The spikes are there to prevent bird nests, but the bird deterrent has an uncanny resemblance to a spiked haircut. It even spawned an internet meme: Punk Rock Fred.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ZAHVVHFPMNAWFEUQ5KXB3VFB2Q.png\")
The spikes on the Fred Haise statue spawned an internet meme “Punk Rock Fred.”(WLOX)<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not real impressed with it, because when I saw it, I thought it was kind of belittling,\u201d said Gulfport native James Vierling.<\/p>\n
After the statue was placed in September 2022, the City of Biloxi was faced with a problem: birds resting on the statue\u2019s head were using the restroom and causing discoloration to the work of art.<\/p>\n
By 2023, the City of Biloxi installed spikes as a bird deterrent.<\/p>\n
![\"Fred](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/OHCCRI4KM5DNVD4UCPYZA2Z5OA.png\")
Fred Haise statue in 2023 with damage from seagulls.(WLOX)<\/p>\n
\u201c[The statue] was never intended to have anything on him,\u201d said the statue\u2019s creator Mary Ott Tremmel Davidson. \u201cI wish that the crown on his head wasn\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vincent Creel, a member of the Biloxi Beautification Commission, agreed with Davidson.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why the commission asked the city to remove the spikes before the re-dedication ceremony on June 27, 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beautification commission asked if we can remove those spikes as part of the efforts to spruce up this area,\u201d Creel explained. And we were happy the city agreed to take them down.”<\/p>\n
![\"Fred](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/KFDDWH3QLFCGZNFVVZ3ZWNGQYM.png\")
Fred Haise statue creator Mary Ott Tremmel Davidson.(WLOX)![\"Biloxi](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PUIFSORT7VERVPS46SM3VSRBUY.png\")
Biloxi Beautification Commission member Vincent Creel.(WLOX)<\/p>\n
But, less than a month later, the spikes are back.<\/p>\n
The statue\u2019s creator said it looks \u201ceven worse\u201d now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more obtuse,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cI know of other things that could be used [as bird deterrents] that wouldn\u2019t be so distracting. We need to find a solution that is becoming to Fred Haise.\u201d<\/p>\n
WLOX News reached out to the City of Biloxi for comment.<\/p>\n
The spikes are a temporary measure to prevent damage until an alternative measure is found, said a city spokesperson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis might be the best answer, but we hope there\u2019s something better,\u201d Creel said. \u201cIn honor of this creativity, let\u2019s be more respectful. We\u2019re not the first city that\u2019s had a statue with a bird problem.\u201d<\/p>\n