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Nat Hocken

A World War II veteran and the protagonist. Nat works at Mr. Trigg’s farm three days a week because a wartime disability limits the tasks he can do. He prefers solitude to working with others and uses logic and reasoning to strategize his defense against the birds.

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The Birds

Flocks of different land and sea birds. Because of unknown reasons, the birds join forces to attack humans across the British Isles. The change in their behavior coincides with a change in the weather.

Nat’s Wife

The wife of Nat and the mother of his children. The narrator does not refer to Mrs. Hocken by name, only as Nat’s wife. She relies on Nat to defend them and their home. She wonders why the Army doesn’t do more to stop the birds.

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Mr. Trigg

The farmer who employs Nat. Mr. Trigg drives Jill home after school because she’s frightened of the birds. He and Jim plan a shooting party to scare the birds away.

Mrs. Trigg

The farmer’s wife. Mrs. Trigg teases Nat over his story about the first night’s bird attack.

Jill

Nat’s daughter. Jill is old enough to go to school and is frightened by the birds.

Johnny

Nat’s son and youngest child. Johnny yells at the birds to leave on the second night.

Wireless Announcer

A voice over the wireless.

Jim

The farm’s cowman.

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