It’s spring, which means magpie swooping season is upon us again.
It’s easy to forget after the quiet calm of winter, until you’re walking through the park and get accosted by a flurry of feathers.
So, to refresh, here’s everything you need to know to stay safe.
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When is magpie swooping season?
Magpies swoop during breeding season which is generally late August to November.
Magpies lay their eggs in a nest and will defend the next for about six weeks until the young birds have gone off on their own.
According to Dr Meg Edwards, a wildlife science lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland, there’s already been 600 cases of swooping reported in Australia this year.
“Only about 50 or so have actually ended up in injury,” Edwards said.
Why do magpies swoop people?
Magpies are territorial and swooping is a natural, protective instinct to defend their nest, eggs and chicks from a threat, such as a person.
“Swooping season is all about those birds trying to defend their nest and defend their chicks,” Edwards said.
“It’s simply a defensive behaviour where they’re trying to sort of say, ‘back off, don’t come near me’.”
Only about 10 per cent of magpies will swoop.
Cyclists do tend to get targeted because they are larger and faster than a person on foot and therefore may appear to be a bigger threat.
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How to avoid getting swooped – and injured – by a magpie
Keep an eye out for magpies and their nests and try to avoid them.
There’s a national community-sourced website called Magpie Alert where you can check out swooping hotspots in your area and add your own.
Your local council may also have information on swooping magpies in your area.
According to the Queensland environment department, mapgies will be less likely to swoop if you are in a group or carrying something like an umbrella that you can hold or wave to make you look larger.
Cyclists can put cable ties in their helmets and should dismount from their bike and walk to appear less threatening.
If you do come across a magpie, try not to run and avoid sudden movements.
And try to maintain eye contact, according to NSW National Parks, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they’re being watched.
Wearing a hat and sunglasses can protect your head in the event you are swooped.
Do swooping magpies remember you?
If you take the same route regularly, some magpies may register that as a recurring threat.
“Magpies do recognise faces and remember faces year after year,” Edwards said.
“So if you’ve been swooped in a particular area, unfortunately it’s likely that you’ll get swooped again by that same magpie.”
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