Beware of ‘Owlcapone’: angry Oregon bird terrifies Salem

Barred owl. Image by Lucie Provencher / CC BY-SA 2.0

After four runners were attacked by an owl in Salem, Oregon, the news went viral and city administrators decided something needed to be done. One runner described the attack as so vicious that he thought he was having a stroke, and another lamented the loss of his running cap, which was stolen by the owl.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow picked up the story and offered a suggestion: make a sign depicting a pedestrian figure fleeing from a feathered creature above. The city thought it was a good idea and is now posting 20 of the signs.

A local newspaper ran a contest to select a name for the marauding bird, now dubbed ‘Owlcapone’. Birders say the angry fowl is a barred owl, which is known for aggression during mating season and will likely calm down soon. Read more: nola.com