Koreans left in a flap by flurry of head-pecking crow attacks

A spate of crow attacks on people nationwide has instilled fear among Koreans, making them hesitant to venture outside.

In a screen capture of a recent video released by the local news channel YTN, a crow strikes a man on the head before swiftly departing. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A spate of crow attacks on people nationwide has instilled fear among Koreans, making them hesitant to venture outside.

A recent video from the local news channel YTN captured a crow attacking pedestrians. In the footage, a crow struck a man on the head before swiftly departing. The man, wearing a cap, looked around in shock, but the bird had already flown off. Moments later, the same bird targeted a woman walking down the street, also aiming for her head.

Crow attacks are not confined to Seoul. In Changwon, South Gyeongsang, a crow abruptly swooped down and pecked the head of a child walking around his apartment complex, as reported by local channel Channel A. The startled elementary school student quickly fled.

Similar incidents are being reported across the country. Flocks of hundreds of crows have been sighted near Suwon, Gyeonggi, and Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi.

Main: A crow suddenly flies down and pecks the head of a child who is walking around an apartment complex in Changwon, South Gyeongsang. Inset: A stock image of a crow swooping [SCREEN CAPTURE/PIXABAY]

People are expressing anxiety, stating they are "afraid to leave the house because of crows."

Experts attribute this aggressive behavior to the crows’ upcoming breeding season, which typically occurs in spring and summer. Some believe that the removal of crow nests by local authorities and others has provoked such behavior, while others suggest that crows, displaced from their natural habitats, are flocking to urban areas.

In the event of a crow attack, experts advise people to remain calm and try to avoid the birds.

BY HA SU-YOUNG, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]