The Australian magpie is a medium size black and white bird known for being highly protective of their nests and are often found to ‘swoop’ passers-by during their breeding season. As a protected native species and one of Australia’s most common birds, it is illegal to harm magpies – so it’s important that we can co-exist peacefully with them in our cities, suburbs and towns.
Where do they live?
Magpies adapt well to open, cleared environments and thrive in locations that have a combination of large tracts of lawn for foraging, scattered trees for nesting and protection, and water.
When is swooping a problem?
Between July to November each year, this is when magpies build their nests and raise their young in a limited area known as a territory. Aggressive behaviour towards passers-by usually occurs within 100 metres of the tree containing the nest and only occurs when chicks are present.
Why do magpies swoop?
Historically, magpies targeted animals like snakes, goannas and cats as they were seen as the biggest threat. But as they’ve moved into busier, more suburban areas they’ve added humans to the list of potential threats. So if you’ve had a maggie swoop you, don’t take it personally — like us they’re just trying to protect their family.
What to do?
- If you do get swooped, try to stay calm
- Move quickly and safely out of the area and don’t try to scare away or fight the bird. Magpies are very intelligent and can recognise faces, you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons!
- To magpies if you run away screaming with arms flailing, this confirms you’re a threat that needs swooping.
What’s the best way to avoid a swoop?
There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of a maggie attack, here are a few tips from the Queensland Government:
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face. You can even try spiking helmets with cable ties!
- Wave sticks or umbrellas in the air to look bigger and make them swoop high.
- Magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group.
- Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season.
- Don’t fight back if a magpie swoops. Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive.
- Never approach a young magpie. Babies that have just left the nest or have fallen out are likely to be under the watchful eye of a parent. If you pick them up or get too close the parent bird may think you are a possible predator.
- If you are swooped, do not crouch in fear, or stop. Move on quickly but don’t run.
- Cyclists should dismount their bikes and walk away as the birds respond to fast movement.
- Respect magpies nesting areas by steering clear of all nests, eggs and fledging’s.
For more information on living with magpies, visit: Queensland Government Website
How to report a Magpie Swooping
Council encourages its residents to report problem areas within townships and will aim to erect warning signs near swooping zones for community awareness if required.
To report a problem area, please contact council customer service team on 1300 007 662.