Staying Safe from Swooping Magpies

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Posted 2024-09-09 by Gillian Ching ⇒ follow

As the days warm and we welcome Spring, more of us are getting out and about in the outdoors. Whether it's going for a jog or cycling along a bike path, coming and going from work or college or just enjoying the outdoors, now is the time also to stay alert and aware of swooping Magpies.

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Magpies are part of the Australian natural world. These beautiful and sleek birds with distinctive sing-song call inhabit our backyards, and our parks but along with their splendour they also have a darker side.

Why do magpies swoop?
Magpies are medium-sized songbirds, with distinctive black and white feathers which are native to Australia. Their breeding season is from July and like any new parent, they are serious about protecting their young. Magpies can routinely swoop if they sense that passers-by are too close to their nest. The swooping generally occurs mostly between August to November. They tend to attack from behind (to necks and eyes) so you may not see them coming.

In 2024 there have been 818 recorded attacks.

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While it can be a little frightening and potentially dangerous if you are pecked or cut, here are some simple things you can do to protect yourself from the swoop of a magpie.

Wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes, face and neck from a potential swoop and can look stylish too

Walk with an open umbrella which is also a good sun protection mechanism

Carry a stick or branch above your head

Place cable ties on your helmet if you are riding a bike

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes

Avoid areas where birds are nesting during the breeding season;

If you are swooped, leave the area as quickly as possible but do not run

Do not interfere with the birds or their nest as this may increase swooping behaviour

Watch the bird while walking away quickly, it is less likely to swoop if it knows you 2019re watching

Do not touch, harass or provoke birds

If you are being swooped while riding your bike, dismount and walk away.

You can also check out Australia's magpie swooping map available through Magpie Alert which is a great guide for finding out where the magpies are most active and be prepared when you are enjoying the great Australian outdoors.

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292757 - 2024-09-03 21:54:38