I am terrified of birds to the point of fainting if they fly too close to me. Is this normal?

Question

I have always been scared of birds -- all animals actually. I have never been attacked by a bird, but I hate pigeons and those grackels or crackels. They hang in packs. I live in Texas now and when the weather gets bad and it's getting ready to rain or storm, the trees are FILLED to capacity with black birds. I mean the branches are weighed down with birds and when cars pass by or honk they fly off into the sky and the sky turns black.

I will literally take an alternate route if I'm walking and there is a bird in my path. I have heard that some will attack you but most won't, but I am still scared. Also, it's not true when people say the bird is scared of you and will fly away. They always stand right in the way when I cross their path.

Eeeewww! They scare the crap out of me. Is this normal?

Last year my husband I went on a weekend vacation to San Antonio and ate on the Riverwalk. Oh my goodness! Those pigeons were flying EVERYWHERE because people were throwing food to them, and also, there were pieces of food on the ground. They were landing on top of the umbrella of our table. At one point I felt a feather go across my ankle (I had on sandals) and I lost it! I screamed so loud. I had to drink two large margaritas to calm down. This other woman screamed later on as well, because they were flapping all over her. Gross!

Answer 1

U've got Bird Phobia. What was the real cause that scared u in the first place??? did u listen to some story told to u by some person of how birds can get nasty? or did u actually see the birds attacking somebody?

I know the huge birds like the Falcons and Vultures wud attack people but then only if the people r a threat to them or if people venture in the nest zone.

Imagine urself to be the mother of ur kids and if u felt somebody was a threat to ur child wudn't u be on a high alert and attack that particular threat if need be ? U sure wud. a mother wud fight anything if she realises her child is at risk.

Some birds are close to humans then the other wild ones. Crows, pigeons, sparrows, parrots, etc are some domestic birds and much more close to humans as they can be pets. I can say this so surely coz since the past 12 yrs we've been feeding some 60-70 crows hot rice and yogurt and initially the crows wud be scared but as some days passed these crows started to feel so confident that they even started to eat out from our hands. Crows don't come near to people or let people touch them but it's just that they fear us and r on high alert for their own sake.

We all fear something or the other and it's quite natural to fear something, in ur case it's birds for me I used to be so so so miserably scared of lizards that i'd feel like vomiting and just plain start shivering, but as the years passed and i came to realise that these lizards r such tiny creatures that they r more scared for their own life then i am from them. I started to feel confident and overcame my fear with just logical reasoning.

Like u the birds too r scared of u but since human beings feed them they too realise that the humans r no threat to them. So the pigeons must feel much more confident in close proximity of humanbeings.

I'd suggest that try to go near the birds slowly and gradually remove from ur mind and heart that anybody can hurt u, if u want u can keep a small stick in ur hand or any small object which wud help u scare the birds away when need be.

But try being confident and bold while ur in the close proximity of birds.

Birds like pigeons and crows wud fly in close touching distance of us human but then it's not on purpose. Pigeons r slow birds on a whole and much more near to human beings then any other bird is. Parrots don't come to u just like that unless u get a trained one it's hard for u to get ur hands on Parrots or any other huge animals.

There are people who have Falcons as pets and train then for Falcon fights but these birds r not wild when tamed they do have the sense of knowing who their master is.

I for one am facinated with birds. But as for phobias all of us have just the form changes and the intensity varies.

If u think that u want more help to build up a bold mindset u shud go see a psychiatrist and i'm sure ur phobia will come under great control. Cheers and best luck.

Answer 2

Nope, not normal.

This is a phobia, a large, irrational fear of something. How long have you been afraid of birds for? A lot of phobias develop when someone is young and has a bad experience. From then on your subconcious associates that thing with danger.

If this is affecting your life and you think it is a serious problem, I urge you to get theropy or another means of overcoming it. Phobias are horrible, I know. I have a very severe one that affects me every day.

As for birds themselves, I can tell you this is an irrational fear. It is true that some wild birds will swoop you to protect their babies. This however, is quite uncommon to happen out of nowhere and depends if you are in a common nesting zone. I think you are more likely to be in a car crash than be attacked by a wild bird.
Most birds have no desire to hurt you and are actually quite playful and curious in nature. Many wild birds will fly away if you come near, unless they are use to humans.

I know that doesn't change the fact that you have a fear of them. Overcoming a phobia is difficult.

Good luck. :)

Answer 3

No, not really normal. But dont feel bad, my sister is the same way about anything that flies, birds and bugs. When we were little I always had parakeets and she would hide in her bed under her blankets with a pillow over her head when I had them out. ( of course i would chase her around with them, so its probably partially my fault, but kids will be kids plus it was funny) JUST KNOW that a bird is small and its not guna hurt you. CANT really, some birds will come chasing out at you if you get too close to a nest but if you just jog a little away, as soon as your not threatening their young they will leave. Imagine the look on my sisters face when I invited her over after I got my big parrot, talk about freaked out! hah

Answer 4

No, not really normal. But dont feel bad, I've got a friend in Germany with the same problem. It was a big problem when she visite South Africa and couldn't visit all the game parks.

Answer 5

Sure it's normal. That's why so many people have pet birds; they scare prowlers, and a burglar wouldn't dare enter a house with a bird.

Answer 6

Yes, you have ornithophobia. Don't panic;that just means an irrational or exaggerated fear of birds. This can be treated successfully. If it is interfering with your life, your initial step is to go to your doctor and ask to be referred to a clinical psychologist. You can be helped to be free of this. Don't suffer it any longer.

Answer 7

Whatever you do, don't watch any Alfred Hitchcock movies!

But all seriousness, you have a phobia. You can talk to a psychiatrist to talk about it and possibly get over it.

Answer 8

hell no it aint normal lol. u got a hella bad phobia. hopefulyl they dont let pigeons out at your funeral

Answer 9

Hmm ive heard of people who could like do vodo or something....But i think it gay to spent like 15000$...


So yea
its normal!

Answer 10

Lol. I guess anything can be scary.

I have a penis phobia...lol!