Stay safe during magpie swooping season

Almost all magpie swoops occur between July and November each year when the male magpies are defending their eggs and chicks.

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) recommends the following to minimise the risk of a magpie attack taking place:

• Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies (painting or sticking large ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat can also deter magpies—but this won’t work for cyclists)
• If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will likely stop if you get off your bike and walk
• Avoid defence zones by taking alternative routes during the breeding season. A defence zone is usually within 110m for pedestrians and 150m for cyclists from the nest.
• If you must enter a ‘defence zone’, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group
• Use signs to warn others of the location of nests and defence zones, particularly in areas used by children and the elderly
• Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping
• It is not recommended to fight back if a magpie swoops, including throwing sticks or rocks, as this can make the magpie more aggressive next time anyone enters the defence zone

Only a small proportion of magpies swoop and often have preferred targets, like pedestrians and cyclists.  A magpie’s defensive behaviour includes non-contact swooping with or without beak snapping, pecking, dive-bombing and sometimes front-on attacks from the ground.  Some attacks can draw blood and the risk of eye injury needs to be taken seriously during magpie swooping season.

Never approach a young magpie. Fledglings that have just left the nest or have fallen out are likely under the watchful eye of a parent. Touching the bird or getting too close can provoke the parent bird as they may think you are a predator. If you believe an infant bird is at risk, contact your local wildlife rescue organisation and they will advise the best course of action.

For further information or to obtain a magpie safety flyer and poster see the Department of Environment and Science website or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Image: Council Magpie Territory sign