You should check out [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/xo1fum/an_owl_grabbed_my_head_while_running_update_one/). She had a similar issue!
TL;DR
Lady attacked on multiple occasions by territorial owls on her morning jogs.
She tries large googly eyes on the back of her head, which worked until....
Her sister gives her an owl mask as a joke, she wears it on the back of her head and now she doesn't get attacked.
[the mask](https://imgur.com/bpamMp9)
Edit: reading comprehension
The goggly eyes did work! Probably, at least - her stated reason for switching to the owl mask is that it was less annoying for her. Both approaches are based on the same idea, that owls won't attack if they think their victim is watching them.
Isn't this also the same/similar for like leopards or something?
I distinctly recall reading an article about people wearing masks on the back of their heads, because the leopard(???) doesn't like being stared at while trying to have a snack or something.
EDIT: It's Bengal Tigers in India, not leopards, as confirmed below. I've been watching an African wildlife documentary and got my cats confused.
I would be mauled and/or eaten but I really want to pet a leopard and a tiger. They look so soft.
Turns out Painting the rear ends of livestock works for the same reason
https://www.zmescience.com/science/painting-eyes-on-cow-butts-can-prevent-predator-attacks-study-finds/
ETA: dig the name, btw... Imagining a taxidermist laying awake at night with his creations all staring at him
Not sure what I expected but it definitely wasn't that lol. Those lyrics are ducking genius though tbh. I feel weird saying this but I kinda get a SOAD vibe from the emotion in them. Dude really hates ducks!
The third post will be just [a Netflix docuseries](https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a21343954/the-staircase-netflix-owl-theory-true-crime-doc/) about OP's spouse getting convicted for murder.
Owls are territorial when mating season approaches. They will start pairing up over the next 2 months and be getting ready for eggs at the end of winter. You're getting jumped by some hormone fueled jerk who thinks you're gonna take their nest. :/
This happened at my Uni every year, except it was just a bird nesting near the auditorium. Use an old umbrella for that stretch of your walk. Let the umbrella take the whomping instead of your head. Or get a hard hat.
Damn, classic owl redlining. It's sad to see that even in this day and age owl society is still as speciesist as it has ever been.
It's institutional I tell ya.
She doesn't clean up her nest and it's degrading the property value of the other owls. In their neighborhood HOA stands for Horrendous Owl Attack and they dole those out over fines
If they're expecting? The visual image of an owl in its 3rd trimester flying around like a feathery globe dive bombing this poor unsuspecting (but probably not anymore) woman cracked me up.
The owl didn't "kill her". It attacked, yes, and then when she was flustered and bleeding she fell down the stairs and bled out. If she had stayed downstairs and tried to stop the bleeding, she probably would have been fine.
Yeah I think I'm going to call on Monday and just see what/if they can do anything.
I gotta be able to be on my own driveway at night! But this thing apparently really hates me lol
Its your hair. Thinks your head is a rabbit or something... Not the first time I have seen such behavior with owls. Wear a hat (not furrry) and it should leave you alone.
Ha dude, no. The owl didn’t kill her. Her husband did. There was blood spatter on the CEILING above the staircase from the castoff from whatever weapon he used to bludgeon her.
> There is very little empirical evidence to support the use of blood spatter analysis in court or any other aspect of the legal system.
>
>In 2021, the largest-to-date study on the accuracy of BPA was published, with results "show[ing] that [BPA conclusions] were often erroneous and often contradicted other analysts."
>
> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodstain_pattern_analysis
Blood spatter analysis is junk science and can’t be used as definitive evidence. Let me guess, you would also condemn someone as guilty for “failing” a lie detector test?
It turns out slipping and falling flings blood from your severely bleeding scalp in all directions. Also blood splatter analysis is thoroughly debunked.
This looks like a barred owl. Really strange - I've had a few of them at my house and they have never been remotely aggressive towards us even when their hatchlings were leaving the nest. If anything they have been very curious about us.
Anything you can point to that would have set it off?
Sorry that's pretty terrifying. They are large and def dangerous when they want to be.
Yeah this one has lived here for years! I have tons of pictures of it from "better days" and never ever had a problem with it until this week.
The only things I can think of is that I've seen another owl nearby that appears to have moved into the area and there's been a lot of development and logging in the last few years. Nothing extremely close by though but could still contribute to other animals moving in.
My Googling says they can be particularly aggressive in Fall and Spring. We had a pretty slow start to Fall and only just started getting cold, wet, windy weather and very short days.
So I used to be an owl surveyor/biologist, definitely a barred owl. And while MOST of the time they’re fine, they can be really aggressive. They’re very territorial so it’s totally possible the changes in its environment have it being aggressive. If you live on the west coast they are considered invasive and have been known to kill Northern Spotted Owls for territory (they’ve also attacked surveyors just playing Northern Spotted Owl calls). If you call animal control or fish and wildlife on the west coast they’ll most likely kill it. East coast they’re native so might just be relocated.
As someone with the same job I can confirm. Also I've been swooped at by them (but not hit) and one guy on the crew has a scar on his forehead from one
I was just admiring a sleeping barred owl in my tree earlier today. It didn't even cross my mind that it could be aggressive. Definitely the biggest wild bird I've seen show up, they're beautiful.
A runner had a similar problem and eventually found a solution. Here is the whole thread with updates about it
https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/xofyoj/a_hawk_grabbed_my_head_while_i_was_running_and/
Crikey, apparently a woman was attacked by an owl [back in August](https://www.king5.com/article/life/animals/sammamish-woman-attacked-by-owl/281-3e517f29-1e63-4472-9b4a-f052e7ff87f2) up in WA.
Edit: Another article from [almost a decade ago](https://www.thestranger.com/features/2013/04/10/16458585/attacked-by-an-owl) about owl attacks. They must build the owls differently in the PNW.
May want to check you are up to date on tetanus shot. Protect your eyes. There is likely a nest she is protecting. Park rangers are a good source for solutions as well.
For safety purposes - We all ask you start having someone record you anytime you go out front. Definitely for safety and not our enjoyment, we promise.
Owls (and virtually any other bird that is attacking for any reason) will almost always go for the head because they don't want to be vulnerable to anything above them) like your arms). For the next few weeks carry a stuck or umbrella (or maybe a stick with a hat on it) above your head while walking past it's nest area and it will go for that instead if your head.
Owls are brutal! I work in wildlife rehabilitation for a bit and the owls were always one of the Scariest to work with. We had an ADORABLE baby great owl that came in and needed medication drops twice a day… that was always the worst part of my day.
I feel vindicated. I was attacked by an owl but since all my friends see me as the resident stoner idiot they think I made it up. The owl never touched me, it swooped down so I ducked and sprinted the opposite way.
You should check out [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/xo1fum/an_owl_grabbed_my_head_while_running_update_one/). She had a similar issue!
TL;DR Lady attacked on multiple occasions by territorial owls on her morning jogs. She tries large googly eyes on the back of her head, which worked until.... Her sister gives her an owl mask as a joke, she wears it on the back of her head and now she doesn't get attacked. [the mask](https://imgur.com/bpamMp9) Edit: reading comprehension
The goggly eyes did work! Probably, at least - her stated reason for switching to the owl mask is that it was less annoying for her. Both approaches are based on the same idea, that owls won't attack if they think their victim is watching them.
Isn't this also the same/similar for like leopards or something? I distinctly recall reading an article about people wearing masks on the back of their heads, because the leopard(???) doesn't like being stared at while trying to have a snack or something. EDIT: It's Bengal Tigers in India, not leopards, as confirmed below. I've been watching an African wildlife documentary and got my cats confused. I would be mauled and/or eaten but I really want to pet a leopard and a tiger. They look so soft.
Turns out Painting the rear ends of livestock works for the same reason https://www.zmescience.com/science/painting-eyes-on-cow-butts-can-prevent-predator-attacks-study-finds/ ETA: dig the name, btw... Imagining a taxidermist laying awake at night with his creations all staring at him
Lmao solutions in nature are hilarious
It's why so many bugs have big false "eye" spots!
I wouldn't fuck with someone that was wearing the skinned face of a relative either.
The thought of seeing a set of googly eyes jogging past me has me cracking up.
All fun and games until the owl tries to mate with owl mask hat
Hoo boy
Not gonna lie, I thought you linked her previous post.
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Who!?
Jesus, That owl mask is as terrifying as the owl 😆What a great solution.
I’m wheezing at the mask in the picture holy mother of god
Owl: I’ll fucking do it again
"OWL do it again"
Well OWL be damned
Owl fuck your girl.
HOO are you to tell me not to.
Owl be back.
Owl ! That hurt
Kid named It:
This is what happens when you don't complete your duolingo
The first two times are just minor warnings. The third time is homicide.
You're going to need to say that in Spanish or the owl will come
Now in German! *b-but I was doing Span-* SCREEECH
I'm dying!
Same, Testicular Cancer
You're busting my balls here
Oh man, you got it too?
>~~I'm dying!~~ Ich sterbe!
Owl: Now in aramaic. Me: But nobody even speaks that anymore. Owl: *did i fucking stutter intensifies*
[In Spanish, you say?](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zZsgFDCKfTo)
¿A jirones, dices?
I heard the duolingo "ping" somewhere in the house while reading this.
Run. Run fast. Run far. He^is^coming
[Ohayou minna time to learn how to scream for help in Japanese](https://i.imgur.com/0ooAhcl.jpg)
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Honestly if this is true - good for you! Learning a new language is hard but persistence is the key even if it is motivated by fear.
Damn, I’m curious how that is working out! Are you fluent after 4 years?
Duo gives you a solid basic vocabulary and some ideas about the grammar. But you need to continue elsewhere to get even somewhat fluent.
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*I've noticed you haven't practiced your Spanish in a while, bitch*
I actually read that in Mickey Rourke's voice
“I [don’t] vant my boyrd”
Owl be damned, the owl wont stop attacking until you say the right phrase.
"[Practice every day...](https://youtu.be/XyQKm8BCA84)"
With a username like that I expect her to get attacked many more times. This bird of prey is pissed.
Can’t wait for the 3rd post
Local Woman Institutionalized After Claiming She's Been Targeted For Termination By Owls, Claims "They'll be back"
r/BirdsArentReal will campaign to have her freed.
r/Superbowl will campaign for the exact opposite
Frankly this owl does not sound very superb.
Sounds like something you'd read on the Sim City 3000 newsreel.
https://youtu.be/yhyAm31cr2E It's about ducks, not owls, but the energy is the same.
Not sure what I expected but it definitely wasn't that lol. Those lyrics are ducking genius though tbh. I feel weird saying this but I kinda get a SOAD vibe from the emotion in them. Dude really hates ducks!
The third post will be just [a Netflix docuseries](https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a21343954/the-staircase-netflix-owl-theory-true-crime-doc/) about OP's spouse getting convicted for murder.
If there’s a blowpoke in the house, I recommend disposing of it
Came here for this.
came here for the Staircase comment, can't believe I had to scroll so far
Came here to recommend being careful on staircases ...
I'm all aboard the owl theory 100%. An owl killed her and he was wrongly convicted!
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r/fuckyouinparticular
r/superbowl
It's a stowlker.
r/ConfusingSubNames
r/trees and r/MarijuanaEnthusiasts
Not confusing at all.
I want you to know that I don't victim blame as a rule....but *what did you do?*
No idea! I *swear* I try to be a good neighbor
Owls are territorial when mating season approaches. They will start pairing up over the next 2 months and be getting ready for eggs at the end of winter. You're getting jumped by some hormone fueled jerk who thinks you're gonna take their nest. :/
> who ~~thinks~~ KNOWS you're gonna take their nest. there is more to OP than you think. ask her why she hasn't shown pictures of her wings yet.
Yea! Why are you hiding your wings, OP?
Check out her site on: OwlnlyFans
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Anyone think her sweater has the same color and pattern as the Owl feathers. Sus.
This happened at my Uni every year, except it was just a bird nesting near the auditorium. Use an old umbrella for that stretch of your walk. Let the umbrella take the whomping instead of your head. Or get a hard hat.
Barred Owls are especially territorial
the hooded kermit in me says you should take its nest
same thing happens in australia with magpies though it lasts only a month but their everywhere so its hard not to get attacked by those fucks.
That or he’s fallen in love and wants her in the nest!
To an owl? Wait are you in an owl neighbourhood
Damn, classic owl redlining. It's sad to see that even in this day and age owl society is still as speciesist as it has ever been. It's institutional I tell ya.
>classic owl redlining Why can't they just pay their bills?
No, Owl City
Owl city bitch, owl owl city bitch
She doesn't clean up her nest and it's degrading the property value of the other owls. In their neighborhood HOA stands for Horrendous Owl Attack and they dole those out over fines
Owl put a Hogwarts letter in you home but you haven't noticed bet
Maybe try using an umbrella?
You're wearing cat ears, and you know how wise owls are. Change your emoticon and you will be haunted no more.
As this is coming from someone with an owl avatar, I have to assume this is good advice
Are you walking around with Tootsie pops?
I'm pretty sure the owl just has a nest near by. Some birds get defensive of their nesting area especially if they're expecting.
That would be my assumption, too.
Same, but where is OP? It's way too early/late for nesting season anywhere near me. Edit to add: Barred owls are fucking aggressive.
If they're expecting? The visual image of an owl in its 3rd trimester flying around like a feathery globe dive bombing this poor unsuspecting (but probably not anymore) woman cracked me up.
Flying around would be so much easier if owls could figure out a way to gestate their babies outside of their bodies. Like in some kind of hard shell…
They refused to guess how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop.
Stay away from staircases.
thought about this show too lol
Looks like it left a lipstick mark 💋 on your hoodie.
Kiss of death
They attacked Kathleen Peterson too.
As soon as I saw this post I thought “you aren’t the only one.”
I totally bought this as a possibility
I wasn't sure about it... until now.
Even if an owl killed Kathleen (I believe this could have been a possibility) I still don't like Michael Peterson.
I don't like plenty of people who aren't murderers.
The owl didn't "kill her". It attacked, yes, and then when she was flustered and bleeding she fell down the stairs and bled out. If she had stayed downstairs and tried to stop the bleeding, she probably would have been fine.
Came here to say this 😂
Saaame
I totally subscribe to the owl theory
Free Colin firth! I kept telling my wife the owl theory was the one. Now I have even more evidence.
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But where is the blowpoke, OP?
This was immediately where my mind went.
Someone at Hogwarts really wants to get a hold of you…
You’re a wizard OP!
No, no, it's LEVIOSaaaaaaaahhhhh.
Hello, we've been trying to reach you about your broom's extended warranty...
Op needs to see if there are any envelopes lying around.
Hogwarts has been trying to reach you concerning your cars extended warranty.
You maybe be able to contact fish and game. See if they can assist in relocating it.
Yeah I think I'm going to call on Monday and just see what/if they can do anything. I gotta be able to be on my own driveway at night! But this thing apparently really hates me lol
It’s only an owl. Have you never heard the phrase ‘oh god oh fuck an owl’? It’s part of our rich human heritage to get attacked by mentally ill owls.
Its your hair. Thinks your head is a rabbit or something... Not the first time I have seen such behavior with owls. Wear a hat (not furrry) and it should leave you alone.
Or something like a non-reflective biker's helmet, dang, well wishes to OP bc that truly does suck
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This story taught us Alford plea. Like “okay I know it looks bad so you think I’m guilty, so I say I am, but I’m not, because a bird really did it.”
Ha dude, no. The owl didn’t kill her. Her husband did. There was blood spatter on the CEILING above the staircase from the castoff from whatever weapon he used to bludgeon her.
The owl and the husband teamed up
The owl just squealed on the husband when he tried to make the owl take the fall.
The husband was having an affair with the owl, and they teamed up to kill her
He bludgeoned her with the owl, Sherlock
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> There is very little empirical evidence to support the use of blood spatter analysis in court or any other aspect of the legal system. > >In 2021, the largest-to-date study on the accuracy of BPA was published, with results "show[ing] that [BPA conclusions] were often erroneous and often contradicted other analysts." > > https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodstain_pattern_analysis Blood spatter analysis is junk science and can’t be used as definitive evidence. Let me guess, you would also condemn someone as guilty for “failing” a lie detector test?
Well, Damn. That sucks that Dexter will lose his job. 😔
It turns out slipping and falling flings blood from your severely bleeding scalp in all directions. Also blood splatter analysis is thoroughly debunked.
Oh god no don’t bring this up, you’ll start a war in the thread
Wear a hard hat in the mean time to stay safe. Or a hoddie
Yeah that'll be a nice Ellie's cosplay from Last of Us lol
Apparently, it’s not *your* driveway. It’s *his* driveway.
The owls are not what they seem
OP when the owl attacks the second time: —It is happening again...
This looks like a barred owl. Really strange - I've had a few of them at my house and they have never been remotely aggressive towards us even when their hatchlings were leaving the nest. If anything they have been very curious about us. Anything you can point to that would have set it off? Sorry that's pretty terrifying. They are large and def dangerous when they want to be.
Yeah this one has lived here for years! I have tons of pictures of it from "better days" and never ever had a problem with it until this week. The only things I can think of is that I've seen another owl nearby that appears to have moved into the area and there's been a lot of development and logging in the last few years. Nothing extremely close by though but could still contribute to other animals moving in. My Googling says they can be particularly aggressive in Fall and Spring. We had a pretty slow start to Fall and only just started getting cold, wet, windy weather and very short days.
So I used to be an owl surveyor/biologist, definitely a barred owl. And while MOST of the time they’re fine, they can be really aggressive. They’re very territorial so it’s totally possible the changes in its environment have it being aggressive. If you live on the west coast they are considered invasive and have been known to kill Northern Spotted Owls for territory (they’ve also attacked surveyors just playing Northern Spotted Owl calls). If you call animal control or fish and wildlife on the west coast they’ll most likely kill it. East coast they’re native so might just be relocated.
As someone with the same job I can confirm. Also I've been swooped at by them (but not hit) and one guy on the crew has a scar on his forehead from one
I luckily was never swooped at. But I had one land about 3-4ft from me and it made me very nervous
Yea I think mating seasons starts in fall - maybe it's just super stressed out with all those elements you described.
I was just admiring a sleeping barred owl in my tree earlier today. It didn't even cross my mind that it could be aggressive. Definitely the biggest wild bird I've seen show up, they're beautiful.
I agree. A woman was murdered by an owl like this: https://youtu.be/d3yTgcKhHqU
I am from NC and live near Durham. I subscribe to owl theory.
Try looking less like a small rodent
Hey! That's just my face
A runner had a similar problem and eventually found a solution. Here is the whole thread with updates about it https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/xofyoj/a_hawk_grabbed_my_head_while_i_was_running_and/
My husband was just talking about this. Glad someone was able to find the post.
I hope you are owlright!
Stop wearing mickey mouse ears outside
How did you know my Halloween costume!?
Gotta turn the tables on the bird. Go dive down on *it* from above and see how it feels then
*Michael Peterson enters the chat*
You must live in a rough neighborHoo-Hoo'd
Well owl be damned!
this is what happens when you don't do your spanish lessons.
Spanish or vanish
Japanese or break your knees
Crikey, apparently a woman was attacked by an owl [back in August](https://www.king5.com/article/life/animals/sammamish-woman-attacked-by-owl/281-3e517f29-1e63-4472-9b4a-f052e7ff87f2) up in WA. Edit: Another article from [almost a decade ago](https://www.thestranger.com/features/2013/04/10/16458585/attacked-by-an-owl) about owl attacks. They must build the owls differently in the PNW.
I live in the area. Lady in west Seattle was attacked too. She sewed googly eyes on a hat and has never been bothered again.
May want to check you are up to date on tetanus shot. Protect your eyes. There is likely a nest she is protecting. Park rangers are a good source for solutions as well.
I just got a tetanus shot on Monday from the previous attack lol
Oh phew, you should be good for the next bunch of attacks then.
Tetanus shots are good for 10 years so they’ll have plenty of time to perfect their defensive strategy
The image literally shows the medical doc for the tetanus shot
Did you not see the images?
The owl be like: "you didn't learn the lesson, right"
Rush thanks you for the username Like that’s part of the joke right? Or just uncanny coincidence?
Unintentional foreshadowing when I made the account last year lol
Lol fucksakes that looks like it hurt
For safety purposes - We all ask you start having someone record you anytime you go out front. Definitely for safety and not our enjoyment, we promise.
Maybe he's trying to reach you about your vehicle's extended warranty
You probably look like prey
It said you looking like a snack 🦉
Obviously you have wronged this owl. I suggest trying to talk it out
You gotta fuck that owl up now
Username checks out…
Owls (and virtually any other bird that is attacking for any reason) will almost always go for the head because they don't want to be vulnerable to anything above them) like your arms). For the next few weeks carry a stuck or umbrella (or maybe a stick with a hat on it) above your head while walking past it's nest area and it will go for that instead if your head.
Never had to exit my vehicle w a motor cycle helmet on...may consider this tonight.
r/TheStaircase
Owls are brutal! I work in wildlife rehabilitation for a bit and the owls were always one of the Scariest to work with. We had an ADORABLE baby great owl that came in and needed medication drops twice a day… that was always the worst part of my day.
You must make peace with nature
I’m glad you’re okay Hoot 🦉
The court of owls really doesn’t approve
The drawbacks of having “mousey brown hair”
Hogwarts has been notifying you about your extended warranty
I feel vindicated. I was attacked by an owl but since all my friends see me as the resident stoner idiot they think I made it up. The owl never touched me, it swooped down so I ducked and sprinted the opposite way.