Tourists visiting Noosa's popular Hastings Street are facing an unexpected challenge: an aggressive crow. The bird has been observed patrolling the area, swooping down on unsuspecting visitors as it defends its territory.

Linda Harvey, a long-time resident of Noosa, shared her experience with the crow. "It is aggressive and pretty scary — it just chases you," she said. Harvey, who has lived in the area for 23 years, recalled her first encounter last spring when the crow attacked her from behind. "It hit my head a couple of times with its claws, gave me a massive headache," she explained. Although she did not sustain any serious injuries, the incident left her shaken.

Harvey thought the attack was a one-time event until it happened again this year. "I go there regularly because I take my dog to the woods... it kept swooping me to the point where I had to hide under a canopy at an outdoor cafe," she said. Staff at the cafe intervened, using a water bottle to deter the bird.

Julie Perrie also encountered the aggressive crow while walking her dog. "It was actually swooping my head and then people were yelling, 'Quick, it's coming again,'" she recounted. Perrie described the experience as overwhelming, saying, "By the time I got in the car, I had to sit and actually compose myself. Have you ever seen the movie The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock? It was like that."

Michelle Duggan, who works at a hat shop on Hastings Street, noted that the crow's behavior has become a daily occurrence. She observed that the bird seems to target people with dogs, stating, "Even dogs that are in a car, I've seen it actually fly down to a car and try and have a go there. It's pretty strange and people are quite frightened by him too."

Christina Zdenek, a representative from BirdLife Australia, explained that the crow's aggressive behavior may stem from a past negative experience with dogs. "Perhaps chasing after the bird, maybe injuring it, and it's really remembered that particular event and it's reacting accordingly," she said. Zdenek added that while it is unusual for crows to swoop, it is not unheard of.

She suggested that the crow might be protecting its nest, which could contain eggs or young chicks. "They're very likely to be protecting their nest so either eggs or young inside the nest at that very vulnerable time," Zdenek said.

In response to the situation, the Noosa Council has installed temporary warning signs in the area. A council spokesperson emphasized that native birds are protected by law, and it is illegal to harm or interfere with their nests and eggs.

Visitors are advised to take alternative routes if possible, walk quickly through the area, and wear hats and sunglasses for protection. Zdenek encouraged people to give the crow space, stating, "Recognize and have some empathy that the animal is probably trying to just be a really good parent and protect its young. It will pass, and then they'll be back to being normally behaving crows."