If you're going to SeaTac, wear a helmet and wave your hands over your head

If you're walking around a park with a potential risk of encountering any birds, be sure to wave your arms around your head to ward the winged-assailants off. It might be best to wear a helmet while walking, too. That's the advice from SeaTac city officials warning of an aggressive owl in a local park.

Multiple owl interactions have recently been reported at North SeaTac Park. The city says that the problem is likely stemming from a barred or great horned owl, and it's possible it's a young owl "learning the ropes." One park visitor reports seeing a family of barred owls in the area.

Officials have their fingers crossed that the aggressive behavior will go away by winter.

Talons are a major weapon in an owl's hunting arsenal. A great horned owl's talons can provide 500 pounds of pressure and has been likened to the force of a German shepherd's bite. It is known to be a particularly fierce predator. Barred owls are known to be very territorial around their nests, especially if they have eggs or chicks.

If you're planning to visit the park, or any area with owls, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

After consulting with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, SeaTac Parks and Rec staff provided a few owl tips for park visitors, including: clapping hands and making noise, and wearing a headlamp pointing front and back to blind the owl. They also recommend distracting the owl by waving your hands over your head.

Walkers can also use an umbrella, hat, or helmet as a precaution. Hats are likely too thin to stand up against owl talons, and since prideful Northwesterners insist upon not using umbrellas, helmets it is. So remember: If you ever go to SeaTac, wear a helmet and wave your hands over your head.