7 owl attacks in Western Washington and how to stay safe

This list of stories illustrates how owls in Western Washington have sometimes dive-bombed unsuspecting walkers and joggers in parks and on trails. Many attacks happen near nesting areas or during nesting season, when owls defend their territory. People have reported owls swooping to steal hats, scratch their heads, and even follow them as they fled, like on the Clark’s Creek Loop Trail in Puyallup and in Tacoma’s North End. Many incidents happen at night or in the early morning, often near a nest.

Officials advise people to cover their heads, wave their arms and leave the area quickly if an owl approaches.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

NO. 1: AGGRESSIVE OWLS ARE ATTACKING HIKERS ON POPULAR ISLAND TRAIL, WASHINGTON OFFICIALS SAY

The trail will remain open but officials warn that hikers should avoid it if they can. | Published October 5, 2020 | Read Full Story by Brooke Wolford

NO. 2: ‘I FELT TALONS ON MY HEAD.’ WOMAN SAYS SHE WAS ATTACKED BY AN OWL WHILE RUNNING IN WA

“I yelled like no one would believe. I was just really scared,” the woman said. | Published August 24, 2022 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura

NO. 3: ‘VERY AGGRESSIVE OWL’ ON THE LOOSE IN WA PARK. HATS, HELMETS AND UMBRELLAS ARE ADVISED

“They are elusive creatures, and if you get too close, they will not hesitate to put you in your place.” | Published September 15, 2022 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

NO. 4: ‘AGGRESSIVE’ OWL KEEPS TERRORIZING PEOPLE AND STEALING THEIR HATS AT WASHINGTON PARK

Officials warned people to stay out of the area. | Published March 28, 2023 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

Kevin Larson reenacts the attack by a barred owl that he survived while going for a jog in the early morning hours of Dec. 13, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 5: FROM BARRED TO BAD: OWL WITH A GRUDGE TERRORIZED JOGGERS, KIDS IN TACOMA’S NORTH END

The ‘big bird’ has attacked at least three people and stolen a hat right off a woman’s head. | Published March 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

News signs along the Puyallup Loop Trail in December 2024 warn hikers about recent owl sightings. By Alexis Krell

NO. 6: IS IT NESTING? SENILE? OUT FOR REVENGE? PUYALLUP WARNS OF OWL ENCOUNTERS ON POPULAR TRAIL

It makes sense that the bird might be nesting, one woman it grabbed said. “I’m a mom, too. If anyone was coming near my babies, I’d come at them.” | Published December 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by akrell@thenewstribune.comAlexis Krell

Tourist with hiking boots walking in forest. Waterproof leather ankle boot

NO. 7: ‘AGGRESSIVE’ OWL DIVE-BOMBS VISITORS AT REGIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON AUTHORITIES WARN

Owls can be territorial if their nests are disturbed, experts say. | Published January 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Don Sweeney

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.