Coexisting with Australia’s Fiercest Parents
Magpies are one of Australia’s most distinctive birds, gracing us with their beautiful warbling songs for most of the year. However, during the breeding season (August to October), a small percentage—less than 10%—become highly territorial and may swoop passersby to defend their nest.
🧐 When People Encounter Swooping Magpies
People most commonly affected include:
- Walkers and joggers
- Cyclists and horse riders
- Residents near known nesting sites
⚠️ Aggressive Behaviours May Include:
- Alarm calls and distant swoops – flying behind and perching nearby
- Close swooping – audible “snap” sounds, pecking or biting the head, face, or neck
- Dive-bombing and chest striking
- Frontal attacks – launching from the ground and striking the chest or face
These behaviours are not exclusive to magpies. Other territorial birds such as butcherbirds, plovers, and magpie-larks (pee-wees) may also swoop during nesting season.
🛡️ Ways to Avoid Magpie Attacks
1. Be Aware
- Learn where magpies are nesting and take alternate routes if possible.
- Some councils maintain “magpie maps” that report attack locations.
2. Inform Others
- Notify local councils or NPWS to report aggressive birds.
- Temporary signs or social media alerts can help keep communities safe.
3. Keep Calm
- Do not yell or flail your arms. Walk away calmly.
- Maintain eye contact or keep the bird in view—magpies usually attack from behind.
- Use your arms above your head to protect your face if necessary.
4. Dismount Bikes or Horses
- Magpies often target bicycles.
- Dismount to avoid accidents—swoops have caused serious injuries and even fatalities.
🧢 Tips to Protect Yourself
1. Umbrellas and Walking Sticks
- Carry an open umbrella or walking stick overhead.
- This adds height and provides a target other than your head.
- Never wave the stick or try to strike the bird—it will escalate the aggression.
2. Eyes on the Back of Your Head
- Attach fake eyes or an image of eyes to hats or helmets.
- Sunglasses worn backwards also work.
3. Helmet Attachments for Cyclists
- Zip-ties or pipe cleaners attached to helmets may deter swoops.
- Leave the ends sticking up to create a distracting silhouette.
4. Bike Modifications
- Add a tall pole or flag to the back of your bike to increase visibility and deter swooping.
5. Be Irregular
- Magpies are intelligent and can recognize routines and individuals.
- Vary your route and behaviour to avoid being targeted repeatedly.
❌ What Not to Do
- Never harass or throw objects at magpies or their nests.
- Aggressive actions will only increase the bird’s fear and defensive behaviour.
🛑 Please Note:
Magpies and Plovers are protected species in Australia.
It is illegal to harm or kill them. Remember—they are protecting their young, and swooping is a natural defensive instinct.
What About Plovers? (Masked Lapwings)
Often mistaken for being harmless because they hang out on school ovals or roundabouts, plovers (also known as masked lapwings) can be just as fiercely protective as Magpies, and occasionally more surprising.
Unlike magpies, plovers:
- Nest on the ground, not in trees
- Tend to swoop from the front, not just behind
- Can perform “broken wing” displays to lure you away from chicks
- Have a spur on their wings (they don’t usually use it, but it looks dramatic)
🧐 When People Encounter Swooping Plovers
Plovers commonly nest in:
- Open grassy areas (school fields, parklands, road verges)
- Construction sites, carparks, even rooftops
People most often targeted:
- Groundskeepers and landscapers
- Children on school ovals
- Pedestrians and dog-walkers
- Cyclists or motorists near nesting zones
🛡️ How to Avoid Plovers
All the magpie precautions apply here too:
- Carry an umbrella or wear a hat
- Keep moving calmly, don’t flail
- Avoid walking pets near known nesting zones
- Warn others if a plover pair has nested in a public area
📍 Bonus tip: If you find a marked-off nest site (e.g. flagged or cordoned), stay well clear—they’re not bluffing.
🚫 What Not to Do
- Never move eggs or chicks—even if unattended.
- Do not try to “shoo” the parents—they will escalate.
- Don’t feed plovers to “calm them down.” It doesn’t work (and it’s illegal).
💡 Final Note:
Both magpies and plovers are doing what nature programmed them to do: protect their young.
Your calm presence and respectful detour can keep everyone safe—including the birds.
