07/03/2023

Spate of Crow Attacks

Angry birds! Crows attack passers-by outside Orchard Central
Crows have been attacking people on a path in Bishan
Crows seen attacking pedestrians in Bishan

Update 15 Nov 2023: Crow attacks 2 children near Marine Terrace Market
The crow attacked the boys - aged two and five - at an open-air space between 50A Marine Terrace Market and Block 59. PHOTO: ST READER

A crow tried to peck and claw at a pair of young siblings near a wet market in Marine Parade on Sunday morning, as their mother was making a grocery run.

The bird attacked the boys – aged two and five – in an open-air space between 50A Marine Terrace Market and Block 59 at around 11am, said their mother, Ms Ariffah Ja’afar.

The crow went for the boys’ heads, but they were not injured, she said. She was at the market buying groceries with her five children, aged between 15 months and eight years, when three of them encountered the crow outside the market.




Crows attack people outside Orchard Central - One man was seen bleeding from his ear
Angry birds! Crows attack passers-by outside Orchard Central

Several people were seen being attacked by crows at Orchard Road on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 24). Stomper Joyce shared videos taken by her sister outside Orchard Central shopping mall at about 1.15pm.

In one clip, a crow is seen attacking three people in the span of a minute. "These two crows were attacking passers-by," said the Stomper. "My sister mentioned that a man was bleeding from his ear before she took these videos. "In one of the videos, you can see the crow even attacked a guy while he was on the way up an escalator. "There's a risk of people falling from the escalator due to shock, in my opinion.

"I'm sharing these videos to raise awareness to the public to be more careful when they are around the area. "Perhaps the authorities could do something about it." Crows made headlines in February after Stomp reported on a spate of crow attacks in Bishan. In March, crows were seen attacking people in Serangoon as well.

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What's behind attacks by crows and how the numbers of these birds are being managed
A crow on a tree near Block 110 Bishan Street 12, pictured on Feb 19, 2023

A Bishan resident has learnt to live with the constant flocks of crows around his public housing block, which was the scene of widely publicised crow attacks in mid-February this year. Mr Lim, 40, who declined to give his full name, told TODAY in Mandarin: “They come near my head and I just swat them away. I don’t want to bother them too much.”

Media reports at the time stated that crows attacked 10 people in 20 minutes along Bishan Street 12 on Feb 13. Crow attacks were also reported along Hougang Avenue 8 on Feb 17 and Serangoon Avenue 3 on March 7. It might seem that this recent spate of crow attacks came out of nowhere, but they have been a recurring issue over recent years.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said earlier this year that it received an average of 3,000 to 4,000 cases of crow-related feedback each year from 2020 to 2022. The feedback was related to complaints such as noise and feeding habits. Crow attacks accounted for 10 per cent of the feedback, CNA reported. TODAY spoke to wildlife experts to learn more about why crows sometimes attack people, the size of the crow population here and what steps are being taken to manage the birds.


NParks to euthanise crows following spate of attacks in Bishan

The National Parks Board (NParks) said that it is working with Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council (BTPTC) to remove crow nests, prune trees and conduct crow trapping after a spate of crow attacks.

In response to a Stomp query, Dr Adrian Loo, group director of wildlife management at NParks said that they have been monitoring the area around Block 110 Bishan Street 12 for crow nests since Feb 7. The trapped birds will be euthanised.

In an earlier Stomp report, a Stomper shared a video of a man being attacked by a crow while walking near Block 110 on Sunday afternoon (Feb 12). The Stomper said that crows have been attacking residents without provocation for over a week.


NParks traps crows and removes nests after bird attacks in Serangoon Avenue 3
NParks is aware of a video of a woman being attacked by crows while walking along the street in Serangoon. PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM STOMP

The National Parks Board (NParks) is working with other agencies to remove crow nests in Serangoon Avenue 3, following several attacks on residents.

NParks director of wildlife management and outreach How Choon Beng said the agency had been notified about four cases of attack around the area as at Friday.

He added that NParks is aware of a March 7 video of a woman being attacked by crows while walking along the street, which was posted on social media.


Numerous crow attacks at Bishan block unnerves residents

Crows have been attacking residents near Block 110 Bishan Street 12, and were seen swooping down 10 passers-by within 20 minutes, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The Chinese newspaper reported that several of these crows were perched on the lamppost next to the HDB flat's walkway on Monday (13 February), and would fly down without warning to peck at pedestrians. A woman in her 20s was observed having to squat down as a form of defence. Even when she tried to stand up, the crow attacked her again by pulling on her hair.

The crows were also seen cawing at a young boy as he approached the lamppost, and then swooping down to attack when he walked past. Fortunately, the boy managed to dodge the birds.


Crows attack 10 people in 20 minutes in Bishan, residents worry they might injure eyes of children & seniors

Living in a country with rich biodiversity like Singapore, encountering wildlife is part of many people's life.

However, over the past few weeks, some residents of a Bishan HDB estate scrambled to find ways to shield themselves from attacks from crows, reported Shin Min Daily News. When Shin Min paid a visit to the estate on Feb. 13, the crows were seen attacking 10 people of all age groups and gender within 20 minutes. According to Shin Min, the crow attacks happened around Block 110 at Bishan Street 12. When Shin Min visited the estate yesterday around 5pm, a few crows could be seen standing on the lamppost located on the side of the walkway.

Whenever someone walked by, the crows would squawk loudly at them. If they walked past the lamppost and moved a few steps further, the crows would dive over and peck them, according to Shin Min. For instance, when a 20-year-old woman walked past the lamppost, a crow suddenly flew over and bit onto her hair with its beak, forcing her to squat down.


Auntie gets attacked by crow while walking along pavement, this time in Serangoon

A woman was attacked by a crow while walking along a pavement in Serangoon on Tuesday afternoon (Mar 7).

Stomper Eric alerted Stomp to the incident and shared a video his father took at Block 326 Serangoon Avenue 3.

"My dad was drinking coffee at a coffee shop at that moment," he said. "It happened directly in front of the coffee shop."


Crows attack man in Bishan: 'They are very fierce and aggressive'

In response to a Stomp query, a spokesman from Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council (BTPTC) said: "BTPTC last pruned the trees and removed the crow nests in the area on Feb 10.

"The Town Council has stepped up on conservancy efforts to reduce food sources in the area and is working closely with the agencies (NEA and NParks) to resolve the crows issue." Residents in Bishan have unexpectedly found themselves stuck in a real-life horror movie.

A Stomper shared a video of a man who was attacked by a crow while walking near Block 110 Bishan Street 12 on Sunday (Feb 12) at about 1pm.


Attack of the angry bird at Toa Payoh

If you have ornithophobia (fear of birds) you should probably stay away from the carpark near Block 125 Toa Payoh Lorong 1.

Stomper Wicky alerted Stomp to a certain bird that has been "attacking" residents in the area."This bird at the roundabout has been attacking people," said the Stomper.

He also shared a video of the bird in action that he recorded on Sunday afternoon (Mar 31).


Crow culling at Desker Road: NParks was alerted to crow attacks in the area

The National Parks Board (NParks) told Stomp that a recent crow culling exercise at Desker Road came after they were alerted to crow attacks in the area.

Stomper Anonymous alerted Stomp to the culling exercise near Block 642 Desker Road on Tuesday (May 12) at about 9am. "I heard gunshots along Jalan Besar and saw two officers near Block 642 Desker Road shoot dead three to four crows," she said.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them picking up the dead crows and still looking up at the trees for more." The incident concerned the Stomper who felt this was a form of animal cruelty.


11 crow attacks at East Coast bus stop within a day: Woman's head injured by sharp talons

A series of crow attacks at a bus stop in East Coast has left many commuters alarmed. 

A total of 11 attacks were recorded last Sunday (May 14), with a woman injured by the sharp talons of the crows, reports Shin Min Daily News via Lianhe Zaobao. The bus stop rests in a junction between East Coast Road and Telok Kurau Road.

The female victim, whose head was injured, told reporters that she had spent over S$200 on tetanus injections after the attack. 


Crows attack more than 30 Toa Payoh North residents within 2 hours

At least 30 residents at Toa Payoh North came under attack by a flock of vicious crows within two hours.

A reader, Ms Xu Jin Li, 55, told Shin Min Daily News that crows often seen near her home at Block 205, Toa Payoh North. Recently, the crows have become aggressive and flocks would often dive-bomb at passersby.

Ms Xu said that her son was returning home after playing basketball at a court nearby where he felt a gust of wind. To his surprise, a crow dived down, narrowly missing his head.


Woman injured after crow attack at Pasir Ris Street 12

The birds targeted the woman's head, and by the time the crows were done, she had to be rushed to Changi General Hospital (CGH).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force told The New Paper it was alerted to the incident at Block 106, Pasir Ris Street 12, on Tuesday at 7.10pm. A woman in her late 40s was taken to CGH in an ambulance with lacerations on her forehead.

Yesterday, the woman who heard the scream said: "My daughter told me she saw three or four children feeding crows.


What should you do in a crow attack?

Frightened of being attacked by a murder of crows? 

The angry birds are in the spotlight this week. Shin Min Daily News reported that crows near Block 110 Bishan Street 12 attacked 10 people within 20 minutes on Monday.

The Straits Times asks the National Parks Board (NParks) and Ms Anbarasi Boopal, co-chief executive of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, how the public can avoid being crow targets.


Why Crows Attack & 7 Ways To Prevent It From Happening To You

Crows are intelligent animals that we should not take lightly. They are sometimes known for attacking humans, eating other birds, and targeting pets. Whether you’ve been attacked yourself or want to defend your house from this bird, check out this ultimate guide to when crows attack.

Crows attacking humans is a somewhat common occurrence. Crows will usually only attack in self-defense, and their attack strategy is quite intimidating. Why Crows Attack umans? Crows will usually only attack humans if they feel threatened in any way. Most commonly, attacking crows are mother birds with a nearby nest. Even if they don’t have any hatchlings or eggs, crows may attack you to protect their habitat. Crows are more intelligent than most birds, so they usually won’t attack random people just for passing by. Crows are very good at watching humans. They can tell if a human is walking by their tree or toward their tree. Unlike most other birds crows tend to fight in these situations rather than fly away.

Crows that have had bad experiences with humans may be more prone to attack. If the crow has negatively encountered you in the past, they will recognize you and may be more likely to attack. Crows may also attack if they expect you to give them food, particularly in highly populated areas. Numerous measures can be taken to avoid crow attacks, whether you’ve had problems with them or not. Methods to prevent crow attacks include:
  • Don’t feed crows.
  • Keep outdoor trash covered.
  • Use bird feeders designed to keep large birds out.
  • Avoid crow nests during mating season (April through July).
  • NEVER try to touch a baby crow or crow egg.
  • Avoid places where you’ve been attacked by crows. Crows will remember you.
  • Use an umbrella if crow attacks persist.

5 ways to avoid being attacked by crows

The crow is an iconic bird in Vancouver, but it is also territorial, and prone to attack during nesting season which generally runs from April to early July and is just winding down now.

Mike Vojnovich is no stranger to aggressive crows. He works around power lines, and often encounters crows' nests. "They often fly at you and come right in your face and try to get you away from their nest," he says. "We don't disturb the nest, we leave it alone if we see eggs."

George Clulow with B.C. Field Ornithologists says that's the right approach:
  • Leave them alone
  • Don't approach young birds
  • Change your route
  • Keep it clean
  • Wait it out

What happens if a crow hits on the head

One reason for crows being aggressive to humans is because of their lifestyle and food habits. Crows consume dead rodents and other small animals; their claws and feathers may carry diseases, and hence one is afraid if a crow attacks them.

Also, crows are territorial birds. Their breeding season is the summer months. If a crow is threatened by the presence of humans or animals near her young ones or eggs, she will defend her nest by attacking the intruder.

Hence, one need not be anxious if one is attacked by a crow. They are probably more scared of humans than we are of them.


When crows attack

You're walking along, minding your own business, when thwack: you're hit from above to a flurry of wingbeats. From your defensive crouch, you catch a glimpse of an inky black shape banking into the trees.

That's the bewildering – and sometimes bloodletting – experience at least 15 people endured last month on the campus of the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) in Ireland: they'd been strafed by crows. The CIT crow strikes – some of which resulted in tetanus jabs and antibiotics for the victims – got plenty of local media attention, and had officials at the college warning people to avoid affected areas of campus. So why the angry birds? Some guessed that with campus mostly empty at the close of the spring term, the crows had lost a prolific source of food scraps from students, making them just a little disgruntled. But another theory suggested the birds were simply defending a nestling that had tumbled to the ground.

The latter explanation got more credence when the team from the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) arrived on campus to investigate the avian assaults. Within the "strike zone", CSPCA officials found a grounded nestling – a jackdaw, to be exact, a small crow widely distributed in Eurasia. They nicknamed the little squirt "Jack" (makes sense) and placed him in foster care, as the team was unable to locate his nest.


Crow Attack Human
Do crow attack human in real life or it only happens in movies?

It is said that crows are the most intelligent bird on earth. Scientists have proven this fact, using Crows as subjects in experiments. But are these birds really smarter than us? Do they know what we do? Well, only you can decide for yourself, but one thing is for sure: crows are sneaky. They are able to recognize individual humans by their human behavior patterns and will attack them accordingly.

Moreover, they are not afraid of anything. They can even take a bite out of a snake or a scorpion, just to test their strength. In the wild, they will attack snakes and scorpions in order to get food from them. And when it comes to humans, they have been known to steal food from people’s hands.

Crows are very aggressive and mean creatures that will attack anything. And doesn’t matter that it is smaller or bigger than them. They have been known to attack small dogs and cats. As well as other birds. Such as pigeons and sparrows. But if you happen to see a crow in a house or a car, you should be very scared!


乌鸦啄头叼发 20分钟袭10人

碧山居民申诉，该区乌鸦近来极具攻击性，路人经过就攻击，俯冲下啄头。记者现场观察，短短20分钟内就有10人遭殃.

有女居民发现，过去两周，碧山12街第110座组屋周围的乌鸦常常无故攻击人。不愿透露姓名的女居民告诉STOMP，只要有人经过，乌鸦就会无差别地俯冲而下啄头.

《新明日报》记者星期一（2月13日）5时许走访现场时，发现数只乌鸦停在走道旁的灯柱，但凡有人路过，它们就会大声啼叫.


乌鸦一天袭11人 女郎头皮遭抓破

东海岸乌鸦横行，一天内先后袭击11人，一女郎被抓破头皮，花百元打破伤风针.

位于东海岸路与直落古楼路交界处的一个车站，近日来出现一只凶恶的乌鸦，频频袭击路过的行人和居民。附近公寓居民徐小姐表示，本月14日（星期天）短短一天内就有11人遭殃.

记者走访时，发现车站后有四棵大树，树枝繁茂浓密，而袭击行人的乌鸦，相信就在四棵树之间筑巢.


Battling with the mynas that come into my home and won't leave
The common myna that is found in Singapore and other parts of Asia. (Photo: Unsplash/Vivek Doshi)

It started rather innocuously. At first, there was a tentative peek through the grille in the yard. Then a longer sitting on the ledge. And then the audacious fly in to look for food – in the bin, on the countertop, in the dog’s bowl.

When I first spotted them some months ago, I went into quite an unnecessary frenzy – which involved some shouting, brandishing of a broom and cussing. Since I have been working from home, I have noticed the increased frequency with which these pesky birds have been coming into my home. And I began to wonder – have they always been coming in, just that no one was around to notice them?

It’s quite unlikely because one thing about these mynas – they poo everywhere. Even if they are in for less than a minute, there are droppings to show evidence of their exact flight path. So this is most certainly new. First, I had to figure out what to do. Who better than Internet people with real world wisdom?


Crows Smarter Than You Think

Crows, ravens, and jays belong to the Corvidae family of birds. Throughout history, people have marveled at the intelligence of these birds. They are so smart, we might find them a bit creepy. It doesn't help that a group of crows is called a "murder," that they are viewed by some as harbingers of death, or that the birds are clever enough to steal trinkets and food. A crow's brain is only about the size of a human thumb, so how smart could they be?

While a crow's brain may seem small in comparison to a human brain, what matters is the size of the brain in relation to the size of the animal. Relative to its body, a crow's brain and a primate brain are comparable. According to Professor John Marzluff at the University of Washington's Aviation Conservation Lab, a crow is essentially a flying monkey. Whether it's a friendly monkey or more like a fiend from "The Wizard of Oz" depends a lot on what you've done to the crow (or any of its friends).

9 Ways Crows Are Smart:
  • As Smart as a 7-Year-Old Child
  • They Recognize Human Faces
  • They Talk About You to Other Crows
  • They Remember What You Did
  • They Use Tools and Solve Problems
  • Crows Plan for the Future
  • They Adapt to New Situations
  • They Understand Analogies
  • They Can Outsmart Your Pets (Maybe)

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