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
Snow And Rain Expected To The Crackle Out Of Huge Northeastern B.C. Wildfires
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A dramatic change in the weather in northeastern British Columbia is being celebrated by crews fighting several large wildfires.
Snow And Rain Expected To The Crackle Out Of Huge Northeastern B.C. Wildfires
Victoria Police Cite Growing Problems, Seek Budget Boost To Monitor Tent Camp
VICTORIA — The Victoria Police Department has requested a $113,000 budget increase to cover the costs of policing a tent city.
Victoria Police Cite Growing Problems, Seek Budget Boost To Monitor Tent Camp
Nova Scotia Government Says Agreement In Principle Reached With 3,500 Doctors
The provincial government announced the agreement with Doctors Nova Scotia Friday, although no details were released.
Nova Scotia Government Says Agreement In Principle Reached With 3,500 Doctors
House Of Commons Gamesmanship Is 'War By Other Means,' Says Procedural Guru
For Canadians watching this week's Parliament Hill meltdown with all its competing claims of procedural skulduggery, sorting out the House of Commons rules can feel like watching a game of Calvinball.
House Of Commons Gamesmanship Is 'War By Other Means,' Says Procedural Guru
Ontario Bill Targeting Boycott Movement Against Israel Voted Down
Liberal MPP Mike Colle and Progressive Conservative Tim Hudak jointly presented the private members' bill, with Hudak calling the BDS movement "the insidious new face of anti-Semitism."
Ontario Bill Targeting Boycott Movement Against Israel Voted Down
Canada Regulatory Board Greenlights Trans Mountain Pipeline
VANCOUVER — Canada's National Energy Board has recommended the government approve a US$5.9 billion (CA$6.8-billion) Trans Mountain pipeline expansion pending 157 conditions are met.