Maybe the other birds could sense them and their captivity, and hadn't encountered that before, and it's what set them off.
I'm being half-silly, half-serious. I don't think that's actually the reason (I believe in the original short story they said it had to do with the tide), nor do I actually need a reason, just something I thought of watching it today.
Growing up, my dad always told me he thought it had to do with the lovebirds. So that's always been my thought. I read the story in 9th grade, but it's so different from the movie.
shareI have seen this film a zillion times and it never occurred to me that it WASN'T set off by the poor love birds in captivity. Why else open the story with the bird's caged brethren being bought and sold by a spoiled socialite. Always seemed to me a commentary on our cruelty to nature.
shareInteresting theory. It honestly never crossed my mind. Actually the only thing that stuck with me about the lovebirds is how the (clearly fake) birds sway side to side in unison as Helen drives around bends on her way to Bodega Bay. Even as a kid I found that hilarious and ridiculous.
shareCathy says at the end "Can I bring the lovebirds Mitch. They haven't harmed anyone." Mitch relents so the lovebirds travel on with Melanie to wreak havoc elsewhere.
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