TIL a Bubo bubo (eagle-owl) terrorized two entire Dutch villages back in 2015, having swoop down and attacked 50 people, inflicting wounds onto many of them. LOL

I was initially skeptical of this information, sounded like a funny satire straight from The Onion, especially of how the villagers reacted (selling owl-shaped chocolates for "protecting against the terrifying oehoe", using theatrical masks behind their heads because "she doesn't attack while you're looking at her", using umbrellas... I mean... ROFL!!). But, yeah, there are actual videos across several Dutch sources so, seems like it was a real thing.

She picked up her phone to take a picture. And didn't look at the broody female ughoo for a moment. And you shouldn't do that. 'Oe-hoe', it sounded and the owl attacked in a dive. Frederique didn't even see it coming. ,,A great blow to my head, from behind, and push at the same time. left in my corner of the eye I saw only a leg, and a wing. I was feeling her nails prick hard in my head. Immediately she flew on. The roof again.”
A blow, a push, scratches everywhere, coat torn, crying Frederique ran off the dyke, at the company Hesseling inside. ,,There they laughed a bit first, until they saw the blood near my ear.''
At Hesseling, they've seen the oehoe before. In the meadow area around it, she defends her territory and occasionally attacks passers-by. ,,When I walk to the container behind here in the morning, outside, I keep looking up,'' says Arno Smeege of the company. ,,This is quite scary.''And, the specific owl who (pun intended) attacked these Dutch villagers, the terrifying oehoe... I'm terrified by the majestic beauty! I truly wish I could be attacked this manner... 🦉🖤 She wants our meat LOL 💀

Sources:
- https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/een-enorme-klap-nagels-in-m-n-hoofd-zo-voelt-een-oehoe-aanval~ae437579/
- https://nltimes.nl/2015/02/18/horror-owl-attacking-people

#oehoe #owl #owls #bubo #eagleowl