Owl Terrorizes Florida Neighborhood

While owls are known predators that find rodents, frogs and other birds to their liking, humans aren’t generally on the menu.

That hasn’t been the case lately in Jacksonville Beach where residents say an owl has attacked six people in recent weeks. It even managed to send one child to the hospital.

The attacks began about two weeks ago, according to First Coast News. Five children and one adult have been dive-bombed by the feathered critter so far.

Resident Frank Forte told the paper residents in the neighborhood are scared.

“They’re going outside … the kids are going out with helmets on.”

Forte’s 8-year-old daughter is among those who have been attacked. She had to go to the emergency room to have her wounds tended to.

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been made aware of the attacks, WPTV reported. The agency is trying to find a falconry group to agree to capture the bird.

In the meantime, Frank Forte admits he’s even a bit spooked by the bird’s odd behavior.

He told First Coast News he puts a cardboard box over his head when he takes out the trash at night.

The culprit is believed to be a barred owl, which is also known as a common hoot owl, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Barred owls are “large, stocky, dark-eyed” birds, according to the Audubon Society. They are known for nocturnal activity and commonly call Florida home. Their preferred prey includes crayfish, frogs, rodents and birds. The Audubon Society doesn’t have humans on its list of barred owl favorite foods.

It is unclear how soon the bird, which some believe to be a former pet, will be removed from the neighborhood.

Photo Credit: Patch file photo of a barred owl