Recent owl attacks in Mobile neighborhood leave residents concerned

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Owl attacks along Springhill Avenue and Old Shell Road in the past month have left residents worried that they could be the next target.

Residents told News 5 that six Springhill area residents have been attacked by owls in September alone.

One of those residents, Wade Stoudenmire, was on his daily morning run when he had his encounter. He has been on alert since.

“As soon as I crossed Bit and Spur, I felt something,” Stoudenmire said. “And my immediate reaction was, it was, someone I knew trying to play a joke and scare me.”

Stoudenmire quickly realized that it wasn’t a hand, but the claws of a bird.

“Then I kinda made like a swiping motion, and my hand actually made contact with a bird,” Stoudenmire said. “And I felt the feathers and everything.”

Several runners who spoke with News 5 said they have had their hats taken off and were even scratched during these owl attacks.

Alabama Wildlife Center Executive Director Chris Sykes said these birds are seen more often during the fall to early winter due to breeding season.

“We’re getting into that time that they are going to start trying to find their area. They’re going to start protecting that area. They’re so familiar with it,” Sykes said. “Normally, whenever you see behavior like that, it’s about protecting their home and their environment.”

Sykes said that the runners encountered one of the 10 owl species in Alabama, known as Barred owls.

Barred owls are known for not being scared of humans and will attack when they feel threatened.

Education is key when it comes to getting along with these owls, according to wildlife experts.

“The city really needs to inform people that, ‘Hey, this is an area that might be under breeding with these birds of prey, or certainly there’s a territory there,’ Sykes said. “So just to be safe when you’re entering that area, or maybe you could do a detour or a roundabout kind of way.”

Even though owls can be dangerous while attacking, these birds also help protect the environment.

According to Sykes, owls typically hunt rodents or other prey that can potentially carry diseases.

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