Residents of Bodega Bay

Character Analysis

The townspeople and schoolchildren mostly mill about, wonder why the birds are attacking, worry about the bird attacks, and/or get attacked by birds.

Great life.

They're there to give you the sense of a wider world beyond just Melanie, Annie, and the Brenner family. As characters, they don't get to do much but offer theories about what's happening and run screaming from the birds. We get the impression that there's a good sense of community, though—typical small-town types like drunks, fishermen, postal clerks, and eccentric ladies.

Our favorite character by far? Officer Al, who comes to the Brenner house after it's been invaded by about a zillion birds flying down the chimney and pecking everyone in sight. His response? Don't worry, Mitch. "My wife found a bird in the backseat of her car once," reassures Officer Al. "Maybe you should put some screen on top of your chimney."

Officer Al is our nominee for the Mayor Larry "It was a boating accident" Vaughn Award.