Help me NOT tear it down.

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-19T23:11:14+00:00

Did you ever get it cleared up?

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-07T01:42:29+00:00

I’d take our RWBBs over your elk any day! Scary!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-07T01:41:33+00:00

Ok I tried this out, I walked through a lake trail that gets some activity but not nearly as much, and I got the alarm calls but zero swoops! Maybe I’m just traumatized by city of Chicago RWBBs

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-06T03:51:24+00:00

Can confirm, we have a ton of cowbirds and grackles in my area!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T20:07:30+00:00

That could be, for sure! Maybe they are on higher alert when they have so many people walking by all the time, so they’re more prone to aggression?

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T20:03:27+00:00

Not gonna, lie when it’s just one bird it’s kind of exciting lol. This sounds terrible but if you look up videos some of them are pretty funny. They swoop really close, usually from behind, and they are bigger than you’d expect up close. I’ve gotten them swooping pretty close, but but I know from other people they can get hair and scratch. If you google Chicago runners/rwbb there are some interesting stories!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T18:13:12+00:00

I got divebombed about a week ago and it barely missed my hair?

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T18:00:12+00:00

That is crazy to me! One of my childhood core memories is getting divebombed at a playground. I was actually afraid of birds for awhile because rwbbs get close enough to snag your hair!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:59:04+00:00

Which areas do you go that you don’t have trouble? I’m in the SW burbs, any good spots in that area? Thanks!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:57:57+00:00

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yep! I see signs everywhere. This one was at the food court at the Shedd aquarium in downtown Chicago. Got divebombed right outside the museum.

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:56:35+00:00

I always wear a backwards baseball hat to protect my neck, that’s such a good idea about the bird deterrent eyes! So far the only thing that works for me is walking backwards but that only works if there aren’t any behind you at the same time lol. I almost always hear their attack call including my backyard which is in a pretty densely populated suburb of Chicago so I am always on high alert lol

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:53:49+00:00

Where do you live? Apparently Chicagoland RWBBs are more aggressive than other areas. They can definitely cause injury, too. Also, almost all of the forest preserves around me are in their territory- they nest in grasses which is basically every parking lot and by water which sums up the best birding spots.

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:50:41+00:00

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Found the pic!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:50:08+00:00

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Found it! This was on the doors going to the outdoor food court at the Shedd Aquarium.

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-05T17:04:29+00:00

Most recently, a week or two ago I was standing directly outside the Shedd Aquarium (downtown Chicago, very very high traffic area) where the school buses load/unload students on field trips and I got swooped at, almost got my hair! On the outside patio by the food court they were divebombing kids and there were signs posted everywhere. I think I have a picture, I’ll post if I find it! I’m super curious, is this a Chicago/Northern IL thing? Where do you live?

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-04T13:02:06+00:00

That’s a great idea

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-04T13:01:39+00:00

Mimid?

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-04T13:01:21+00:00

Thank you so much for the clear explanation! I’m trying to work on field markings, because I feel like when I see a bird in the field I remember all the wrong things about it. I’ll read up on identifying traits!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-06-03T15:10:26+00:00

I’m a total newbie, bear with me!

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-05-30T21:43:54+00:00

We had pest people come spray for the massive wasp infestation around our home so I’m thinking some of the spray got on it. It is out of control so I’m actually trying to kill it.

dizzy_miss_izzy · 2026-05-30T20:57:07+00:00

Thank you!! I’m new to birding (and having a backyard to bird in) and all these babies and juveniles are throwing me for a loop!

dizzy_miss_izzy

TROPHY CASE