The owls of Washington are on the attack. Experts say it comes with the territory.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

I seriously want some owl feathers for my hats.

Local
The owls of Washington are on the attack. Experts say it comes with the territory.

By Marissa J. Lang
November 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. EST

A silent attacker lay in wait as a woman stepped out for an evening stroll down a familiar path in the Woodley Park neighborhood.

The leaves had just started to fall from trees near her home as she passed. The sky, darkening quickly, shone a deep blue. Then, with no sound and no warning, a bird swooped down toward Anna Scrimenti’s head.

She spun around, searching for the source. An owl sat on a road sign, its head swiveling this way and that.

She took a photograph with her phone, then turned to leave, but the owl wasn’t finished. It dove at her from above, razor-sharp talons clawing at her scalp.

Scrimenti is one of several Washingtonians who have had run-ins with owls in recent weeks — a phenomenon that has rattled residents but elicited little alarm from wildlife experts, who said occasional run-ins with owls come with the territory.
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This owl attacked a woman jogging in the Woodley Park neighborhood. Wildlife experts say such encounters can cause alarm, but such behavior from owls isn't uncommon. (Courtesy Anna Scrimenti)
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Marissa J. Lang is a local reporter covering the D.C. metro area. Follow https://twitter.com/Marissa_Jae

[hlthe2b]

1. I often see a Great Horned Owl (and a mating pair of red tailed hawks) on neighboring roofs

as I come out with the pup in the pitch dark wee hours of the morning. They are enormous and it has often crossed my mind that they might swoop in on one or both of us. So, I wear a baseball hat--always. LOL

But, yeah, I'll continue to be aware especially pre-dawn.

[dameatball]

3. Similar here. Have been seeing a large owl glide silently into a pine tree out back right at dusk.

First time I saw it thought it was a hawk until it turned around and and I was able to see the silhouette.

[TheRealNorth]

2. They need Rachel Maddow's Owl attack signs

[IronLionZion]

4. These owls should eat the rats

it's time for our city's wildlife to coordinate their efforts in the war on rats. And they'll be rewarded with nice meals. No need to attack humans.

[utopian]

5. Oregonian here

One of the volunteers at my work was recently attacked by an owl. She had a pretty nasty laceration on her scalp. I never knew they could be so aggressive. Maybe it's just here in the Pacific Northwest.