Pensioner attacked by kamikaze crows

Published on Tuesday 17 March 2009 09:17

A pensioner says he is living in a real life version of Hitchcock's The Birds and has been forced to protect his home with netting to fend off crows.

Ronald Milton's house in Bisley Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, is being targeted by kamikaze crows which keep flying into the windows.

Mr Milton, 89, has now installed netting in a bid to stop the crows from attacking, which he says has happened regularly over the past six months.

Mr Milton said the thudding sound of the birds launching themselves into the windows is disturbing.

"They fly up to the window then fly back crashing in to it, and they seem to enjoy it," he said.

"But it seems to be only my house, they are a nuisance and they make a mess on the windows.

"The netting doesn't seem to make any difference though."

Dr Colin Studholme of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust said there could be two reasons for the crows' behaviour.

"Sometimes flying into windows happens because they think they can fly straight through a house if they can see some light on the other side," he told the Gloucestershire Echo.

"The other possible option is that they can see their reflection in the window and they will attack it, particularly at this time of year when crows are mating and very territorial."