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Bird attack

Bike riders in eastern Oregon, US, say they’re getting whacked on the head by an angry bird.

Riders in Pendleton said that a male hawk is dive-bombing them because they’re too close to a nest he’s guarding in an old cottonwood tree.

Bike rider Mack Temple says the bird came in from behind like a fighter plane and whacked his helmet.

Another rider, Charlie Newhouse, says the attack on his helmet was “like getting hit with a baseball bat.” He says the talons went in through the helmet.

Bird watchers say the large bird is a Swainson’s hawk.

The riders say he’s been vigilant for a few nesting seasons, but hasn’t been as aggressive as this year. Bird watchers say the hawk will ease up once his brood learns to fly.

Source: www.eastoregonian.com