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,91裸聊视频� 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 hadn91裸聊视频檛 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 hadn91裸聊视频檛 broken her skin. Still, she had felt the bird's sharp talons.

91裸聊视频淚magine Freddy Krueger attacking you from behind,91裸聊视频� she said. 

The next morning, Henderson posted on the Oak Bay Local Facebook page 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 91裸聊视频� one of the many raptor species found on Vancouver Island. 

91裸聊视频淭his is typical barred owl behaviour,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭hey'll swoop any time of year, but as we are getting close to the breeding season, they'll be more aggressive than usual.91裸聊视频� 

Ann Nightingale, a Rocky Point Bird Observatory volunteer, added that territorial behaviour stems from the bird91裸聊视频檚 instinct to protect its young. Other times, however, owls attack people in the hopes of snagging a quick meal.

91裸聊视频淪ometimes ... they mistake the movement of a ponytail or pompom as a prey item,91裸聊视频� said Nightingale. 91裸聊视频淭hey primarily hunt by sound, so the swishing of hair on a jacket can sound like a small animal moving.91裸聊视频� 

Nightingale recommends avoiding areas where attacks have recently occurred. 

91裸聊视频淭he owls that do this tend to be repeat offenders,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淥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.91裸聊视频�

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