Staff at Portland's Legacy Emanuel Medical Center got an unusual safety warning this week: watch out for angry crows in the employee parking lot. Security circulated a flyer after a run of aggressive crow encounters, telling workers to protect their heads and avoid turning their backs on the swooping birds. Employees reported the crows have been going after people around the lot, in behavior that lines up with spring fledging season, when young crows are on the ground and parents go into full defensive mode. Hospital leaders told staff they are working with animal-control officers to avoid disturbing nests while the young birds learn to fly.
What Legacy Emanuel told staff
As reported by KOIN, Legacy Emanuel security alerted employees to several recent swooping incidents and passed around a safety flyer with specific instructions. Staff were told to protect their heads if a crow is actively attacking, to face the bird and keep walking, and not to waste time trying to shoo it away. Security also stressed that the trouble is centered on the employee parking lot and that patients elsewhere on the campus are not affected.
Why the birds are swooping
Experts say there is a seasonal explanation. During fledging season, young crows leave the nest but spend time on the ground, and their parents stay highly protective. The Bird Alliance of Oregon told KOIN that “the situation is temporary” and that the fledglings should be able to fly off with their parents in a few weeks. The group also warned that well-meaning people who scoop up fledglings and bring them into human care can actually prolong the aggressive behavior, because the young birds miss their chance to learn to fly.
Federal protections and why you shouldn't harass them
Wildlife officials point out that crows are smart, remember bad encounters, and can escalate if they feel harassed. Many native birds are protected under federal law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act restricts harming or taking wild birds and their nests, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Local authorities have urged people to report aggressive behavior to animal control instead of trying to move or tamper with nests themselves.
What to do if a crow swoops at you
Officials advise that if a crow starts acting aggressively, you should keep walking while facing the bird, use a jacket, bag, or umbrella to shield your head, and resist the urge to chase or grab any fledglings on the ground. If you find an injured bird or an animal that truly needs help, contact Multnomah County Animal Services or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Legacy Emanuel security has also asked staff to report repeated incidents to campus security so animal-control officers can check out nearby nests without disturbing them.
Hospital leaders and wildlife groups say the drama should die down once the young birds are fully airborne. Until then, the advice is simple: give the crows some space, follow animal-control guidance, and treat the parking lot like shared turf.
