Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
The United Kingdom is known for its history, contribution to the art world, and landscape. However, some people do not think that the UK has dangerous animals, let alone dangerous birds. While you will not read about dozens of daily bird attacks that leave people bloody and hospitalized, some bird species cause problems—and quite serious ones.
This article goes over eight statistics regarding the most dangerous birds in the UK, as well as some FAQs about those birds. If you are an inspiring ornithophile or are just interested in bird facts, read on.
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The 8 Statistics on Most Dangerous Birds in the UK
- There are almost 44,000 herring gulls in the UK, and they are known to attack beachgoers to steal food.
- Seagulls can carry up to 2 kilograms, which is the size of a small dog.
- Peregrine falcons can reach speeds up to 320 km per hour and are known to ‘dive-bomb’ joggers.
- Last year, at least one reported injury caused by a buzzard.
- Birds make up over 47% of car accidents involving animal collisions in the UK.
- In 2017, 4.5% of bird strikes caused damage to UK aircrafts.
- In early 2022, an estimated 1 million birds were culled to prevent bird flu.
- About 49% of feral pigeons in the UK carry an infectious disease.
Bird Attack Statistics in the UK
The most common threat that birds cause to people in the UK is mild to moderate physical harm from attacks. The majority of these attacks are due to either seeking food or protecting nests. However, no one enjoys these attacks.
1. There are almost 44,000 herring gulls in the UK, and they are known to attack beachgoers to steal food.
(JNCC, Liverpool Echo)
Going to the beach is a favorite summer activity for many British people, but most are aware that they need to be on the lookout for aggressive seagulls. While seagulls do not target people randomly, they mainly go after beachgoers for the food they carry. The seaside is lined with food stalls and shops, making most people easy targets to steal snacks from.
2. Seagulls can carry up to 2 kilograms, which is the size of a small dog.
(The Guardian)
Seagulls can carry a surprisingly heavy load! These powerful birds can carry animals up to 2 kilograms (over 4 pounds). While people think that seagulls will only go over wild animals, in 2019, a seagull carried off a British woman’s chihuahua in her garden in Devon. Sadly, the pet was never found. Since the incident, people in the UK have been more protective of their small pets.
3. Peregrine falcons can reach speeds up to 320 km per hour and are known to ‘dive-bomb’ joggers.
(NHM)
Beautiful and strong Peregrine falcons make their home in not only rural areas but in urban places in the UK as well. These falcons prey on other birds, like pigeons, but also have been known to target people from time to time—but not for their next meal. Peregrine falcons are very territorial, especially when they are nesting, so when a human goes out for a jog or walk near a nesting spot, the Peregrine falcon will dive at them up to speeds of 320 kilometers per hour. Their speed—along with their talons and beak—will definitely scare people away!
4. Last year, at least one reported injury caused by a buzzard.
(Cheshire Live)
Buzzards are a common bird in the UK. Like Peregrine falcons, buzzards are territorial birds. Last year, a man suffered facial injuries from a buzzard that was most likely protecting its young. Although there was only one incident that was formally reported to the police, there are public forums where joggers and bikers have discussed the time they were “surprised” by a territorial buzzard.
Accidents Involving Birds in the UK
Despite their size, birds can cause damage to cars and even aircrafts. Not to mention damage done to the vehicles, these accidents pose a risk to any person inside.
5. Birds make up over 47% of car accidents involving animal collisions in the UK.
(FleetNews)
Collisions with animals is sadly common in the UK. However, almost 50% of reported animal collisions are due to birds, both small and larger game birds. It is also estimated that this percentage is higher because not all drivers report hitting a bird.
6. In 2017, 4.5% of bird strikes caused damage to UK aircrafts.
(CAA)
A bird strike is when a bird or flock of birds hits an aircraft. The most recent study conducted in 2017 recorded over 3,000 bird strikes. Out of those 3,000 bird strikes, 4.5% caused damage to the aircraft. The damage usually involved the jet engines because the birds get sucked into the engines. If this happens, the plane must return to the nearest airport to ensure the safety of the people on board. A whole circuit of inspections must be done to ensure the aircraft is safe to use again.
Birds and Diseases
Birds can carry diseases that easily spread among other birds; however, there have been reports about large numbers of birds carrying diseases that can spread to humans.
7. In early 2022, an estimated 1 million birds were culled to prevent bird flu.
(BBC)
At the end of 2021, there were several outbreaks of the H5N1 virus (commonly known as the bird flu) in England. To stop the spread of the virus, the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs had about 1 million birds culled. However, this number has not been officially confirmed, but it was an estimate made by the BBC. Despite the efforts, there was one reported case of a person contracting H5N1.
8. About 49% of feral pigeons in the UK carry an infectious disease.
(BPCA)
Almost half the feral pigeons in the UK carry diseases that can be passed along to people. One of those diseases is Chlamydia psittaci, which can cause fever, blurred vision, pneumonia, and possibly death. It can be hard to avoid pigeons, as many flock near humans to get food. Large groups of pigeons pose additional health issues because of their droppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous bird in the UK?
The native birds in the UK rarely attack humans. The most common attacks come from seagulls, though they don’t cause serious injuries to humans. The raptors that reside in the UK could cause injuries to humans, but they don’t attack unless threatened.
Otherwise, the most dangerous bird in the UK is the most dangerous bird in the world—the cassowary. This bird is only found in zoos in the UK but could be a risk if it escaped and came in contact with humans. (Dudley Zoo).
What birds attack humans the most?
The birds nest close to people are responsible for the most recorded attacks. These include the northern mockingbird, the American robin, the gray catbird, and the bluejay. Mockingbirds, in particular, often harass and attack people and domesticated animals in defense of nests.
Despite the aggression and prevalence of attacks, these birds cause minimal injuries to humans. The experience is mostly scary for victims, unlike attacks from other animals like dogs, big cats, or bears.
What is the UK’s largest raptor?
The white-tailed eagle is the largest UK raptor. It went extinct in the UK during the 20th century from illegal hunting and killing, but the current population is descended from reintroduced white-tailed eagles.
These eagles can weigh between 3.5 and 7 kilograms and boast a length of 70 to 90 cm with a wingspan of 200 to 240 cm. Though the species is still scarce in the UK, the breeding population is found on the west coast of Scotland. Reintroduction programs replenished the populations on the east coast of Scotland, Ireland, and England. (RSPB)
Do birds kill humans?
Bird attacks are rare on their own, and attacks that lead to serious injury or death are even rarer. Other than freak incidents, such as the man drowning after his kayak was capsized by a swan, the only birds known to have killed humans are the cassowary and the ostrich. (Britannica)
These birds are not native to the UK, so you’ll only see them on farms or in zoos. Still, they could pose a risk to the public if they were to escape.
Are birds attacking humans more?
According to wildlife experts, bird attacks on humans are becoming more common. Small birds may dive-bomb or mob humans that come too close to their nests, such as birds of prey or seabirds. Birds may also have run-ins with humans over food.
This is likely to increase as humans encroach on bird territory and nest sites become harder to find. Most of these attacks don’t cause injury, and humans can avoid or end an attack by simply leaving the nest area. (Independent)
Will birds carry human babies?
Nearly every culture has “baby-stealing” stories involving animals, including large birds. There’s little fact to support this cultural phenomenon, however. While an eagle or other large birds have the strength to grab a baby, they don’t have the strength to carry them off. It’s also virtually unheard of.
There was a case of a wedge-tailed eagle swooping on a child in Alice Springs Desert Park in Australia in 2016. The bird swooped down on a child in the audience of the wildlife show at the park. (National Geographic)
He had only superficial injuries, and the bird was temporarily removed from the show pending an investigation. There was also a video of a golden eagle attacking a child in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2012, but it was later proven to be a hoax.
Do birds attack pets?
Yes, and often for the same reasons as they do humans. As mentioned, a family in Devon reported a seagull carrying a chihuahua off, and raptors can and will target small dogs and cats as prey. This may be as a source of food or to protect a mate or nearby nest.
Any pet under 15 pounds, and possibly more, is at risk from large birds of prey. These birds often eat rabbits, rodents, and other birds, so it may not be able to tell the difference between a cat and a rabbit. In most cases, however, these birds will be selective about prey animals and will choose easy prey. The best way to protect your pets is to keep your cats indoors and always leash your dog—never leave it unattended. If a bird appears to be ready to swoop, wave something in the air, like an umbrella, and yell loudly to deter it. (City Wildlife)
What is mobbing?
Mobbing is a noisy display that some birds will do to send a warning to predators or threats. This often involves an alarm call and harassing behavior, such as flying around the predator. Sometimes, these birds will make contact and may attract more birds, which may even be of different species. Together, this can be loud and disorienting. Mobbing commonly occurs with seabirds like gulls, though it may be seen in other birds. (RSPB)
Conclusion
Many birds are large predators, so it makes sense that we may fear them. There have been isolated incidents of birds attacking to defend their territory or seeking food, but these incidents rarely result in serious injuries or death. Truly dangerous birds, such as the ostrich or cassowary, are not native to the UK. The aggressive birds found in the UK may mob or swarm to protect their nests, but the simple solution, in this case, is to remove yourself from the area.
Featured Image Credit: pjhpix, Shutterstock