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
Former PM Stephen Harper's Tough-on-crime Agenda Dealt Another Blow In Court
The B.C. Appeal Court has struck down mandatory, two-year minimum sentences for drug trafficking convictions that involve someone under the age of 18 or that occur in a public place frequented by youth.
Former PM Stephen Harper's Tough-on-crime Agenda Dealt Another Blow In Court
Chess Players Offered New Play Place In West Vancouver Shopping Mall
Park Royal Shopping Centre manager Karen Donald says players have been offered a new space to be installed on the mall's second floor.
Chess Players Offered New Play Place In West Vancouver Shopping Mall
Sweaty Back Leads To Drug Arrest In Kingston, Ont.
A 36-year-old Oshawa, Ont., man may be watching his back more closely after a bag of crystal meth that got stuck to that part of his body resulted in his arrest.
Sweaty Back Leads To Drug Arrest In Kingston, Ont.
Mountie Accused Of Abusing His 11-Year-Old Son Tells Court He Had Constant Nightmares
Mountie accused of severe, long-term abuse of his 11-year-old son says an RCMP psychiatrist suggested that he play down his history of constant nightmares when he underwent a psychological evaluation before entering the police force.
Mountie Accused Of Abusing His 11-Year-Old Son Tells Court He Had Constant Nightmares
Mayor Naheed Nenshi's Uber Comments To Go Before Calgary Integrity Commissioner
Nenshi was using a rival service in Boston recently when he was critical of Uber's background checks for drivers and used a coarse word to describe the company's CEO.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi's Uber Comments To Go Before Calgary Integrity Commissioner
Name Of 'Domestic Violence Court' Constitutional; Man Claimed Discrimination
A man who argued the name of Ontario's domestic violence court caused him distress and violated his rights has had his constitutional challenge thrown out.