The Chainlink

Blackbird of Grand Ave!

Yesterday I became a victim of the "legendary" blackbird of Grand Ave.  As I was riding east between California and Rockwell, I felt a sort of tugging at my right shoulder and heard a ruffling/agitated noise.  As I turned my head I saw a flurry of black feathers hovering at my shoulder. I screamed (one of those shrill screams) and what I later found out was a bird, flew off behind me. "What the f*ck?!?", I screamed but my bf, who was behind me, was oddly not surpised.  He later told me about this bird (a red-winged blackbird, we think) that chases bikers on Grand Ave, somewhere between California and Western (oh, and usually only east-bound riders!). He said this bird is fairly legendary with some people in the bike community - messangers, etc. Apparently I was lucky in that the bird only stayed with me a few seconds (shrill scream?) but he chased my boyfriend for few blocks, swooping down on his shoulder and helmet.

 

Anyone have any run-ins with the "blackbird of Grand Ave" that swoops down on bicyclists???

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 5, 2010 at 11:01am
I have had more then one run in with that bastard and it is worth noting that not a single one of them have been while wearing a helmet; maybe he is a safety advocate?
Permalink Reply by igz on July 5, 2010 at 11:40am
i am all too familiar with this red wing black bird. ive been victimized 4 or 5 times, and i dreaded him every time i rode to the grand/western metra stop. he does usually attack the east-bounder, as im pretty sure thats where his nest is, but my first encounter was on the westbound side. at first, i thought some kids at the park over there were being jackasses and throwing things, but it didnt quite feel like a projectile object. i stopped to look around. a caretaker for the park walked up, laughing a bit, said it was a bird! WHA? a bird. he said that many people get attacked there. as i told my tale of the man eating bird, i heard of many other accounts of the same thing.

he bit my head twice, flapped all over my shoulder once, and another just screached his evil into my ears as a spun as fast as i could.

damn bird!

and i agree with doug...the only two times i was actually bit was without helmet.
Permalink Reply by mike w. on July 5, 2010 at 11:47am
i've heard that painting/drawing "eyespots" on the back of your helmet or cap is a deterrent to bird attacks.

i've been buzzed by redwings -though they usually just follow about 5-10 feet overhead & behind a bit and squawk -and once was chased half a mile by a barn swallow that was trying to peck at my ear. Swallows are fast little buggers.
Permalink Reply by thepuppies on July 5, 2010 at 3:43pm
This bird kicked my ass two days in a row. I have never been attacked by a bird in my life but this little f'er got me twice. Yesterday, I was out for a run and as I went east on Grand (just across from Smith park...middle of the block) i felt something take a nip at the back of my head along with lot's of screeching. Today, I was on my bike and i had to go in that general direction again. This time i was equipped with sunglasses and helmet so my confidence was bolstered. I wanted to do a little recon and see if it was just a freak incident. Heading east i saw the bastard sitting on the top of a light pole as soon as i passed him he came down on his dive bomb run. Steering with one hand, throwing poorly placed punches with the other hand we battled for about a block before he gave up. This bird is one mean son of a bitch. Watch yourself. I say we form a good old fashioned mob and take him out with pitchforks and torches.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 5, 2010 at 4:53pm
They are just protecting their nesting area, and prolly looking for more nesting material. Your long locks would make a nice target Adriana

Adriana said:
Awe, not to sound like some bleeding heart liberal, but give the little bastards a break. I'm sure you're not serious about 'taking him out', but they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and hurting one comes with a hefty fine. I know they can be annoying and possibly dangerous, but I find their 'fighting back' stance on encroaching humans kind of endearing. Then again I've never been attacked, but I get a feeling I'd be forgiving :)

thepuppies said:
This bird kicked my ass two days in a row. I have never been attacked by a bird in my life but this little f'er got me twice. Yesterday, I was out for a run and as I went east on Grand (just across from Smith park...middle of the block) i felt something take a nip at the back of my head along with lot's of screeching. Today, I was on my bike and i had to go in that general direction again. This time i was equipped with sunglasses and helmet so my confidence was bolstered. I wanted to do a little recon and see if it was just a freak incident. Heading east i saw the bastard sitting on the top of a light pole as soon as i passed him he came down on his dive bomb run. Steering with one hand, throwing poorly placed punches with the other hand we battled for about a block before he gave up. This bird is one mean son of a bitch. Watch yourself. I say we form a good old fashioned mob and take him out with pitchforks and torches.
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on July 5, 2010 at 6:51pm
This has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read. I may have to ride that stretch just to witness it.
Permalink Reply by Annette on July 5, 2010 at 8:39pm
Oh man! Well I guess it's kinda comforting to know it's happened to others out there! I'm just glad I kept the handlebars pointed straight while it was happening. Hopefully this ruthless bird doesn't cause anyone to wipe-out. And next time, I'll be mentally prepared for it - kinda like biking through the streets last night for all the (illegal) fireworks displays - what a battlefield that was.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 5, 2010 at 8:40pm
Yep. This species is *extremely* territorial and defends its nest more aggressively than most birds we encounter in our travels. I've occasionally had this problem in other locations.

Michael A said:
They are just protecting their nesting area, and prolly looking for more nesting material. Your long locks would make a nice target Adriana

Adriana said:
Awe, not to sound like some bleeding heart liberal, but give the little bastards a break. I'm sure you're not serious about 'taking him out', but they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and hurting one comes with a hefty fine. I know they can be annoying and possibly dangerous, but I find their 'fighting back' stance on encroaching humans kind of endearing. Then again I've never been attacked, but I get a feeling I'd be forgiving :)

thepuppies said:
This bird kicked my ass two days in a row. I have never been attacked by a bird in my life but this little f'er got me twice. Yesterday, I was out for a run and as I went east on Grand (just across from Smith park...middle of the block) i felt something take a nip at the back of my head along with lot's of screeching. Today, I was on my bike and i had to go in that general direction again. This time i was equipped with sunglasses and helmet so my confidence was bolstered. I wanted to do a little recon and see if it was just a freak incident. Heading east i saw the bastard sitting on the top of a light pole as soon as i passed him he came down on his dive bomb run. Steering with one hand, throwing poorly placed punches with the other hand we battled for about a block before he gave up. This bird is one mean son of a bitch. Watch yourself. I say we form a good old fashioned mob and take him out with pitchforks and torches.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 5, 2010 at 9:09pm
Ditto. This thread is hilarious. Nice touch with the "legendary" Annette.

Craig S. said:
This has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read. I may have to ride that stretch just to witness it.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 5, 2010 at 9:11pm
maybe a tandem with a scarecrow on the back???

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Ditto. This thread is hilarious. Nice touch with the "legendary" Annette.

Craig S. said:
This has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read. I may have to ride that stretch just to witness it.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on July 5, 2010 at 10:06pm
I still think you guys are all playing a joke on me (um...and everyone else following this site). Anyone get a video or picture yet? Seeing is believing.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 5, 2010 at 10:11pm
no one would do that to you Julie, but this week's movie in the park is "Birds"

Julie Hochstadter said:
I still think you guys are all playing a joke on me (um...and everyone else following this site). Anyone get a video or picture yet? Seeing is believing.

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