Well, this sounds unpleasant. Carrion crows (didn’t realize crows could have that modifier) are dive-bombing people in Rome to protect their fledglings.
The crows’ fledglings, that is; not the people’s. Here’s the novel’s — uh, I mean, the New York Times article’s — opening paragraphs:
ROME — On a sunny Thursday afternoon along a tree-lined street in Rome, locals shielded themselves with umbrellas. Others pulled jackets above their heads in fear. Some grabbed wooden sticks for protection.
The crows were out and the fight was on.