Bird attacks reported by visitors in Houston's Museum District

It's not exactly at an Alfred Hitchcock level, but birds are attacking people near Hermann Park.

People who live near the Children's Museum of Houston report attacks happening regularly over the past few weeks.

Katerina Manoff and her 2-year-old daughter were scratched during an attack on Friday.

"At the time, I didn't realize what was happening. I just felt claws in my head digging into me. It was really scary. It was really painful. I kept running but they kept following me," Manoff said.

Other residents said birds take aim at them and come close without making contact. Manoff wished that were the case for her.

"We just got up and made a run for it, and as soon as I got up the birds came at us again," said Manoff.

Residents said this has happened in years past but seems to be worse this time around.

State Game Warden Kevin Glass with Texas Parks and Wildlife said it is nesting season for these birds, which are most likely mockingbirds.

They're the state bird and they're protected so there's not a lot that can be done.

Glass said the best bet is to keep moving. Standing in one place for too long can make the birds feel threatened.

"They're just like any other animal. Mothers protecting their young," Glass said. "Keep on moving."

"They just seem to choose people and keep dive-bombing them," Manoff said.

Glass said this will end in a few weeks when the baby birds start to leave the nest.

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