its basically a puzzle in itself when you first run into it, but it looks a lot worse than it actually is because when you first start off you don't know you only have to hold out for a few minutes.
after your first playthrough you shouldn't have any issues with it though. in fact you can shoot the bird, get a free grenade, blow the cutscene triggered one up easily OR go take that grenade and attack the one at the gate then deal with the cutscene one normally. you end up getting twice as much money as you're supposed to at the beginning of the game. i think moments like that is why its so beloved because it greatly rewarded great play, with great loot, from a great merchant.