It’s swooping time

Between August and October, I always wondered why cyclists in Australia ride around with cable ties sticking out of their helmets. Also, just recently I saw someone with a cardboard box on his head while he was riding on his bicycle.

The answer is: It’s swooping time

Magpies protect their little ones

During the breeding season of the Magpie from August to October, he attacks assumed invaders in the vicinity of his nest. They do that by swooping on you, mostly in the truest sense of the word “out of the blue”. It is the male bird that attacks. They just want to defend their babies. But usually it’s only a warning.

He appears relatively cowardly, as he prefers attacking the head from behind and without warning. Eye contact with the bird should prevent an attack. But who looks back all the time, especially then what was front, is now the back … You can buy in Australia also hats and baseball caps, which have eyes painted on the back.

Unnecessary fears

In the breeding season, the tabloids report regularly about real and supposed attacks and use terms such as “killer magpies” etc .. This unnecessarily fears are whipped up. Although in very rare cases the magpies sometimes injure people with their claws in “swooping”, normally nothing happens as a general rule. Usually you are only frightened when suddenly a bird swoops over your head from behind so that your hair is touched. You tend to get hurt when you panic and then stumble or fall off your bicycle.

Just avoid the Magpies during the breeding season

Only 10% of the Magpie population attack and then not always and not everyone. Most of the time they will remember if you do not pose a threat and then leave you alone. And that will also in the years to come, as the birds seem to be able to remember people very well and breed again and again in the same place. In our neighbourhood, we have become friends with Magpies. They even come very close with their offspring and hope to receive something to eat.

Nevertheless, I was attacked by magpies myself on my bike, but I hardly noticed. It’s just an inconvenience. If you are afraid of these attacks, you should avoid areas where the Magpies are currently breeding. And after the breeding season you have your peace.

The “Australian Bird Study Association” also has a “Swooping Magpie Attack Map” on their website, where you can read about the most recent and reported attacks. You can avoid these places then. But I personally did not need it yet.

Often you can also see signs that are placed in areas where there is a greater likelihood that magpies will defend their broods by attacking you. You should pay attention to such signs.

The Australian Bird Study Association has also published Swooping Magpie Safety Tips that may help with preventing and avoiding an attack.

If you would like to read more about Magpies, I recommend the book by Prof. Gisela Kaplan: „Australian Magpie, Biology and Behaviour of an Unusual Songbird”.

So, do not be scared.

Video: Magpie Mayhem presented by Darryl Jones

“Magpies probably come in 150th or 200th place in terms of danger as a wildlife, it’s so insignificant it’s ridiculous”. Prof. Gisela Kaplan