Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: Matt2matt2002 on July 06, 2012, 09:35:55 AM

Title: Birds
Post by: Matt2matt2002 on July 06, 2012, 09:35:55 AM

Quite often when I am driving my car a bird will swoop down across in front of me.
I have noticed this happening also when I ride my bike.

I don't think it's the same bird  ;)

Anyone else experience this happening to them and any ideas why they do it?

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: julk on July 06, 2012, 10:05:19 AM

I have had a buzzard strike me on the helmet once, maybe it was defending its territory.

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 6527richardm on July 06, 2012, 01:24:37 PM

Last week a pigeon flew into my wheel.

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Matt2matt2002 on July 06, 2012, 01:30:08 PM

I have had the buzzard attack - up here in Scotlandshire
but I see it quite often in the car.
Anyone else get birds fly acros their paths?

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: il padrone on July 06, 2012, 02:22:47 PM

The Australian Magpie is a classic, to all intents taking great delight in terrifying the unwitting cyclist with deadly swoops, beak strikes and at times, whole body-slams. Some footage from the cyclist's perspective here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WRH0ZPPS0Z8&NR=1) along with the animal psychology behind their attacks. People are provoked into all manner of attempts to fend off the attacks, however this experiment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4) has proved extremely revealing.  :o

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Danneaux on July 06, 2012, 04:10:42 PM

Hi Mayy,

I've noticed this phenomena as well. Perhaps the birds are playing...chicken?  :D

The only real "problem" I've had with bird encounters is with red-winged blackbirds, especially in nesting season. They prefer hedgerows alongside the roads, and are very territorial. "Territorial" means aggressive in this case, and they will swoop down and tap one -- hard -- on the helmet. I know some local cyclists have had their helmet shells cracked in similar attacks, and the birds have sometimes fluttered right in front of my face. About all one can do is proceed (faster!) through their territory.

I've come to think of them as a training aid.

Best,

Dan.

Title: Re: Birds
Post by: NZPeterG on July 07, 2012, 07:50:01 AM

Quote from: il padrone on July 06, 2012, 02:22:47 PM

The Australian Magpie is a classic, to all intents taking great delight in terrifying the unwitting cyclist with deadly swoops, beak strikes and at times, whole body-slams. Some footage from the cyclist's perspective here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WRH0ZPPS0Z8&NR=1) along with the animal psychology behind their attacks. People are provoked into all manner of attempts to fend off the attacks, however this experiment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4) has proved extremely revealing.  :o

Yes we have Australian Magpie's in N.Z. too.
They love getting blood!  :o

Pete..
 ;)