PECKING ORDER
City is advising residents to be wary of aggressive red-winged blackbirds defending nests during mating season,
The city is warning people about possibly hostile behaviour from red-winged blackbirds in some parks just as the summer starts.
Signs went up last week in parks alongside the waterfront, cautioning people about the aggressive behaviour of the red-winged blackbird — a small bird of18 to 20 centimetres in size and weighing anywhere between 50 to 60 grams.
City spokesperson Jane Arbour said the signs have been placed in Budapest Park, Lakeshore Boulevard Parklands, Little Norway Park, and the Toronto Music Garden. The decision was in response to 311 calls about the aggressive nature of the birds, such as squealing and attempting to peck people’s heads. Similar behaviour has been seen during these birds’ mating season in the past, she said.
Red-winged blackbirds are common in urban areas. They can live in the city near wet areas and ditches, said Steven Price, president of Bird Studies Canada.
“They’re not any more aggressive than most birds would be if you came near their nests,” he said, noting their defensive reaction is always prompted by a perception that someone is trying to be harmful to their nests.
Mating season is from late May to end of June, and that’s when they’re more visible in parks, he said.
When a person gets very close — within three to four metres of their habitat — the bird will “jump and squawk and be annoyed at your presence,” he said.
“Think of it this way: If someone walked in your front door and walked toward your children, you’d immediately put yourself in between, right? That’s all this bird is doing.”
Price said people walking in parks have no reason for concern about these birds. Just avoid disturbing them, be respectful of their space and maybe wear a hat to distract them and protect your head in case of a peck, he said.
“It’s entirely in our control to just move away and appreciate nature without disturbing it,” he said.
Sitting under a shade at Budapest Park on Tuesday afternoon, Alanna Chelmick said she had never heard of anyone being attacked by a red-winged blackbird.
She believes it’s the people’s responsibility to mind their own business and let birds lead their lives unobstructed.
“We are in their world here. We’ve got to respect their territory,” she said.