‘Very aggressive owl’ on the loose in WA park. Hats, helmets and umbrellas are advised

Officials in Washington urged visitors to a city park to wear a helmet. They also encouraged hats and umbrellas, but not because of inclement weather.

Rather, the gear might protect them from a “very aggressive owl” that was spotted in North SeaTac Park.

The ornery owl is apparently known in the area, according to a sign the city posted on a tree in the park. The sign, promoted in a Monday, Sept. 12, tweet, warns to use caution or avoid the area until the owl moves on.

“If you must walk past a nest, wave your arms slowly overhead to keep the birds at a distance,” the sign also advises.

A helmet should protect against owls’ sharp talons. And an umbrella may even prevent an attack in the first place, according to Forest Wildlife, “a group of wildlife enthusiasts, volunteers from the local community, who are actively working to save forest habitat.”

“The umbrella can give the impression that you are a much larger ‘prey’ than the owl is capable of handling, or that you are too powerful a predator for it to challenge,” the organization says.

Owl attacks on humans are “generally rare,” McClatchy News previously reported. But they may attack if they feel threatened or are defending their territory.

If that’s the case, they may attack repeatedly. Especially if multiple humans encroach on their territory or if the same person does so again and again.

They tend to give a series of hoots to warn humans to back off. If its warning call is ignored, that’s usually when an owl will “dive bomb” its victim, attacking silently, without warning, and usually targeting the head.

That’s what happened to a Washington woman about a month ago.

“I saw a flash of large wings. And then, I felt talons on my head,” 55-year-old Kara Stender told McClatchy News. Stender was training for a marathon in Soaring Eagle Regional Park in Sammamish.

Owls can get aggressive several times a year, especially during nesting season in the spring and mating season in the fall, Chase Gunnell with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife told KIRO7.

But sometimes juvenile owls will attack humans while “practicing their hunting skills, playing, and exploring new territory,” according to Forest Wildlife. Sometimes, young owls may attack people after their parents stop feeding them.

If you encounter one, just leave them alone, the organization says. “They are elusive creatures, and if you get too close, they will not hesitate to put you in your place.”

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