Crow scare: Latvians terrorised by aggressive bird

20 May, 2008, 09:06

Latvian authorities have had to set up special signs warning locals against an aggressive crow in the town of Jelgava. The bird attacks people and tries to peck them, sometimes causing serious injuries.

The bird lives in a park near the city hospital, and has terrorised residents for the past few years. Shooting birds within the city limits is prohibited by local law, so the mayor’s office set up signs warning of a dangerous bird to prevent people from getting into trouble.

Ornithologists believe such aggressive bird behaviour might be explained by the proximity of its nest and attempts to scare people away from the nestlings, but normally crows only croak and swoop.  This particular bird makes even scientists wonder at its irregular aggression.