VANCOUVER — People with ornithophobia have a new tool to fight their fear of birds — a map that tracks crow attacks.
Instructors at Langara College in Vancouver used open-source software to create the online map, which allows anyone with an Internet connection to pinpoint where they were attacked and add details, such as how aggressive the bird was.
Jim O'Leary teaches Geographic Information Systems at the college and says he and his colleague Rick Davidson wanted to show how the course content could be put to use.
O'Leary says he was inspired to start tracking crow attacks after witnessing several in downtown Vancouver last year and thinking that recording them could help better understand the problem.
The birds are particularly aggressive during the spring, when they are protecting their nests.
Hundreds of attacks have been documented on the map since it launched in April, including reports from Victoria and Antigonish, N.S.
O'Leary says he and his colleague didn't know how popular the map would become.
"I originally envisioned it as being the greater Vancouver area, but crow attacks seem to touch a nerve with people. It seems like many people have a crow story that they want to tell," he says. "I guess crows are aggressive everywhere."
Mapping the attacks helps establish where the most aggressive crows are and gives an idea of whether there are any patterns, O'Leary says.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/crow-attack1#@</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"with all our technology skills, we shouldn't be run off the street by the crows. so this is our response," he says. "the first part of a solution is to find out what a problem is."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
so far, there have been dozens of attacks reported in downtown vancouver, and o'leary says he believes there are more crows in the area because of the concentration of garbage cans and tall trees.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
o'leary says he isn't sure whether governments would be interested in the information, but notes that it's all public and at least it gives people an idea of where the crows are located.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"at the very least, people can vent their frustrations and they can see where the concentrations are," he says.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
it has also taught o'leary that the birds are more aggressive than he ever imagined. he's heard reports of crows banding together to dive-bomb a passerby, and of birds targeting dogs and cats.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the map has also sparked interest in langara's geographic information systems certificate program, which teaches students how to manage and use geographic data.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
o'leary says seven people signed up for his course within a week of the map gaining notoriety.</div>.jpg)
MORE National ARTICLES
Competition Bureau won't oppose beer mergers involving AB InBev and Molson Coors
OTTAWA — The Competition Bureau says it won't oppose two proposed beer mergers involving Canada's largest breweries.
Competition Bureau won't oppose beer mergers involving AB InBev and Molson Coors
Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, Dying From ALS, Behind Push For Change In Wording
OTTAWA — The lyrics to O Canada will be a hot topic in Ottawa on Tuesday, even though the July 1 fireworks are still a month away.
Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, Dying From ALS, Behind Push For Change In Wording
'Frozen In Time:' Fort Mcmurray Residents Brace For Return To City
Not Everything Will Be Fully Operating When Fort McMurray Reopens To Residents. What Do Returning Residents Need To Bring?
'Frozen In Time:' Fort Mcmurray Residents Brace For Return To City
Kathleen Wynne Wants Ontario Law Changed By Year End To Legally Recognize Gay Parents
Wynne says the province's laws are outdated and do not reflect current views on who can form a family.
Kathleen Wynne Wants Ontario Law Changed By Year End To Legally Recognize Gay Parents
Trapped Baby Moose Freed By Police Gets A Ride-along In Wildlife Vehicle
The animal became trapped in an outdoor porch stairwell of a home in the city's east end after getting separated from its mother.
Trapped Baby Moose Freed By Police Gets A Ride-along In Wildlife Vehicle
Saskatchewan Woman Says Her Lover Came Up With Plan To Kill Their Spouses
Angela Nicholson, 51, and Curtis Vey, 52, are on trial in Prince Albert court on charges of conspiring to kill their spouses, Brigitte Vey and Jim Taylor.