If you know anything about catbirds swooping down on people and dogs, please stop here [View all]

[Samantha]

I am almost a prisoner in my house because I have these two catbirds outside which swoop down on me when I go out the front door. Once the bird actually clipped my shoulder. I have taken to acting like a crazy lady about this situation because it has gone on for three days now and I am clueless how to handle it. I am scared to death of these birds. I went out this morning, and one of them chronically hovered around me trying to dive onto my body (or something!).

I do know they have a nest two bushes over from my front door. The baby birds have hatched, and these two birds take care of them. I am sure they are swooping down on me to discourage me from approaching the nest, but believe me, I make it a point to steer away from that bush. Additionally, the next bush over some robins have a nest. The catbirds are constantly going after the robins tending their young. There are a lot of scuffles and screeching all over the place. I also saw one of the catbirds go after a squirrel walking down my driveway, it was small and I thought the catbird was going to get the better of it. Thankfully, the squirrel managed to get away.

But the bottom line here is I feel ready to break down over this situation. I of course need to go out and water my flowers and lawn, wash my car and take my dog Cheyenne out several times a day.

If you have any experience with catbirds and know how I can deflect them from swooping down on me (and/or my dog) when I exit my house, please, please, please volunteer that information now.

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have to offer.

Cheyenne thanks you as well.

Sam

PS I can't move the bird's nest. That is the only suggestion I have received from my neighbors, but I just can't do it. I want to leave that nest alone.