A recent owl attack in Victoria serves as a reminder to steer clear of territorial birds.

On Dec. 30, a Victoria resident was walking through Redfern Park around 9:30 p.m. when an owl swooped out of the darkness and latched onto her hair. 

"I thought maybe a raccoon had just jumped onto me,B次元官网网址� said Susie Henderson, who was on her way home from the Oak Bay Recreation Centre with her husband.

The attack was over in a flash.

"If my husband hadnB次元官网网址檛 been there, I wouldn't even know what it was because it disappeared before I even realized," she said.

Henderson quickly threw up her hood and rushed out of the park, where her husband examined her head for cuts. The owl hadnB次元官网网址檛 broken her skin. Still, she had felt the bird's sharp talons.

B次元官网网址淚magine Freddy Krueger attacking you from behind,B次元官网网址� she said. 

The next morning, Henderson posted on Facebook to warn others about the whereabouts of the owl. In her description of the attack, Henderson noted that the owl was large and speckled. 

Based on this description, a representative of the Surrey-based Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program said the bird is most likely a barred owl B次元官网网址� one of the many raptor species found on Vancouver Island. 

B次元官网网址淭his is typical barred owl behaviour,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey'll swoop any time of year, but as we are getting close to the breeding season, they'll be more aggressive than usual.B次元官网网址� 

Ann Nightingale, a Rocky Point Bird Observatory volunteer, added that territorial behaviour stems from the birdB次元官网网址檚 instinct to protect its young. Other times, however, owls attack people in the hopes of snagging a quick meal.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes ... they mistake the movement of a ponytail or pompom as a prey item,B次元官网网址� said Nightingale. B次元官网网址淭hey primarily hunt by sound, so the swishing of hair on a jacket can sound like a small animal moving.B次元官网网址� 

Nightingale recommends avoiding areas where attacks have recently occurred. 

B次元官网网址淭he owls that do this tend to be repeat offenders,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥nce you know where they are, just give them a bit of space. They are usually defending a specific territory. If you need to walk that path, an open umbrella should keep the bird away or at least provide a barrier.B次元官网网址�

People with small cats and dogs are also advised to be careful, as owls can see them as prey.