By Holly Ramer and Rodrique Ngowi, Associated Press
Rockport, Mass. (AP) – Rockport residents have a history of fighting invaders, but not this time.
During the War of 1812, city dwellers in the tiny fishing village launched rocks on British soldiers using their stockings as slings. Now they hit garbage bags and towels on the side mirrors of their cars to protect them from a destructive and determined peak.
In recent weeks, the bird has broken more than two dozen mirrors and at least the side window of a vehicle. But residents take violence in stride.
“Everyone laughs well,” said Ben Favaloro. “Nobody wants to struggle with the bird. He is always welcome.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-6sawlmzug
Favaloro, who has lived in the neighborhood for almost four decades, said that he had seen the occasional peak on the side of the houses over the past years and that he had withdrawn several trees last summer which were damaged beyond recovery. But the attack on glass is a new phenomenon.
“At the start, we just noticed that all the mirrors had been adjusted. It seemed to be a child in the neighborhood that went around the mirrors,” he said. But then, his sister-in-law spotted the top peak of about 21 inches (53 centimeters) on the Favaloro truck, picking the lateral mirror.
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Ben Favaloro poses next to a SideView replacement mirror on his van, after the original was broken by a Rogue peak earlier in the month, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Rockport, Mass. (AP photo / Charles Krupa)
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Ben Favaloro poses next to a SideView replacement mirror on his van, after the original was broken by a Rogue peak earlier in the month, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Rockport, Mass. (AP photo / Charles Krupa)
Given their enormous size, the peaks-piliated are strong enough to break the mirrors, but such behavior is “definitively bizarre,” said Pamela Hunt, main biologist of avian conservation at the New Hampshire Audubon.
“Many birds will be aggressive against reflections in mirrors, but I generally do not hear about peaks,” she said. “They generally do not pit their opponents, they pursue them in a way.”
She said that the peak could be “a little stupid” and tries to defend its territory and frighten what it considers competition. The damage coincides with the coupling season for the piloted peaks and the resident Barbara Smith said that she would go well with “a lot of small peaks”, even if she hopes that they will not be as destructive.
“People have to do what peaks do,” she said. “Good luck, peak.”
Favalro said that the peak and the attention of the media that he attracted by the media was a fun distraction of everything that is happening in the world.
“This small city of rockport in which I live is one of the safest communities in the world,” he said. “I think it's probably one of the biggest crimes for years. It's pretty funny, but it's good too.”
Rowing reported to Concord, New Hampshire.
Originally published:
