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Village is being ‘terrorised’ by a ‘dive-bombing’ jackdaw called Derek

A jackdaw called Derek (not pictured) is apparently terrorising a village in Yorkshire. (Getty)
A jackdaw called Derek (not pictured) is apparently terrorising a village in Yorkshire. (Getty)

A Yorkshire village is currently being “terrorised” by a jackdaw called Derek whose antics have apparently left children "petrified".

The bird is said to have been carrying out attacks in Rossington, near Doncaster, for several years and has been branded a "menace" by one angry mum, the Yorkshire Post reports.

Villagers now seem to have had enough of Derek’s behaviour after a recent alleged attack on children.

The bird reportedly “dive-bombed” some kids while they were playing in their garden.

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Young black jackdaw sitting on the ground in the green grass with head facing the camera
Jackdaws are able to discriminate between each other’s voices. (Getty)

The children's upset mother wrote about the incident on social media, posting: “It comes to something when kids can't even go into their own garden without being petrified because of that bloody bird Derek dive bombing them trying to attack them.

“So to whomever owns the horrible thing, if you want to try domesticate a bird like that then keep it at home because if it hurts my kids there will be hell to pay and I don't care who that offends.

“The thing is a menace, attacking kids in school playground, on the street, in their own garden. If it was any other animal it would have been put to sleep following the first attack on a child. Angry isn't the word.

“I don't care who thinks I'm overreacting or it's just a bird but it could take someone's eye out.”

Some villagers replied, saying the bird was “demonic” and “nasty”.

But others defended Derek, describing him as the “village mascot”, adding their children had fed the bird without any problems.

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The birds include two species, the eastern and western Jackdaws. (Getty)
The birds include two species, the eastern and western Jackdaws. (Getty)

Jackdaws are able to discriminate between each other’s voices and respond in greater numbers to warnings from birds they know than from strangers, research has previously shown.

Scientists from the University of Exeter discovered the birds have unique calls and are more likely to respond to members of their own colony.

Jackdaws, a highly social member of the crow family, produce a harsh scolding call when they see a threat, calling fellow jackdaws.

It was found the largest mobs assembled when birds heard the cry of a member of their own colony.

The birds include two species, the eastern and western Jackdaws.

Villagers are unsure whether Derek has an owner or is a wild bird.