Tiny mockingbirds are attacking people walking through Greenpoint’s Transmitter Park during aerial displays that are eerily reminiscent of scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s horror film “The Birds.”
The attacks, which started about a week ago, are probably the result of the birds trying to protect their newly hatched eggs from threats such as joggers, walkers, and other natural predators that now say they are afraid to use the park.
“It was very traumatic,” said Maya Brenner, who says a bird came at her beak-and-talon-first on three occasions. “I have not been running since.”
Brenner suffered some scratches, but luckily, had no open wounds.
Mockingbirds, who are known to be fierce protectors of their nests, are well-known for attacking unsuspecting humans. And since this is Transmitter Park’s first summer, the birds are probably not used to seeing so many people walking so close to their nests.
Some who are aware of the attacks have taken up a new form of bird watching — one in which they watch as unsuspecting park-goers get attacked from the air.
“[The bird] goes to a high perch and picks its victims,” said John Clements, who works at nearby River Styx and saw the bird attack three people in a row last week. “It’s usually women and people on cell phones.”
News of the attacks was first reported by the website Greenpointers.com
This reporter was literally assigned to a day in the park on Wednesday and was not attacked, but did have a few serious staring contests with the vicious birds.
Still, some said the attacks weren’t a big deal, as it was simply nature taking its course.
“They are birds,” said Linda Orbourne. “Who are you going to file a complaint with?”
On the bright side, none of the attacks have been eerily reminiscent of the Mel Brooks’ classic, “High Anxiety.”
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
