How to Survive a Bird Attack

Watch for hovering and clacking.
To intimidate predators, many species will hover and clack their beaks before attacking. If you observe this behavior, be ready for a bird attack.
Close your eyes and cover your ears.
A bird will swoop down quickly, striking at the head or shoulders with its wings or beak.
Run for cover away from nesting and foraging areas.
Run as fast as you can away from the area that the bird is protecting. Many species will attack if their nests or foraging areas are disturbed, even incidentally. If a bird attacks, it will continue to attack until you leave these areas. Continue to cover your ears while running.

Be Aware

Wearing a hat can offer some protection to your head against attacks.
Ducks and geese are notorious for going after people. They can approach noisily, heads high. When attacking, they will lower their heads, hiss and charge, and can tear exposed flesh with their sharp beaks.
Do not carry food. Birds habituated to human contact, including seagulls and crows, will swoop down and bite at foods and the fingers that hold them, particularly if the person is gesticulating with the food.
Birds and other wildlife found on golf courses are generally protected by law. Never use a golf club as a weapon against them.
Do not assume it is safe to approach a nest just because no adult bird is in sight; eggs demand careful temperature regulation and adults are generally close by. Wild birds nest—and eggs hatch—during the spring, so be particularly careful at this time.