Put your cable ties on your bike helmet and wave your hands over your head – because it’s time to be on the lookout for swooping magpies. 

If you have ever been swooped by a magpie before, you’ll know that shouting at it, or getting angry doesn’t help. It just seems to infuriate the bird even more. So, remain calm and read on for some helpful strategies to help us coexist with these iconic Australian birds. 

Why do magpies swoop?

As the springtime nesting season arrives from July to November, the magpies hatch their eggs and often swoop to protect their young chicks.

You’ll probably know a few local spots where the magpies always swoop – and that’s because a pair of magpies can claim territory for up to 20 years, which is why birds are often seen swooping in the same location year after year.

Lismore City Council’s Environmental Strategies Coordinator Leonie Walsh said people can post on www.magpiealert.com if they feel others should be warned about a particularly troublesome magpie.

“This is a great website that people can use to share information about how a particular magpie is behaving, and even offer suggestions for how to avoid his territory,” she said.

There is a local post for swooping magpies at Ubrihien Street, Lismore already as a warning to local residents.

Be cautious

Leonie also urged people to understand that these birds are just doing what is natural to protect their young and she advised people to be cautious rather than alarmed.

“Swooping can be pretty scary, but it’s worth remembering this is normal defensive behaviour as the bird is trying to protect their eggs or newly hatched young in their nest,” she said.

“This behaviour usually lasts about six weeks, and in almost all cases ceases when the young leave the nest. The best thing to do is avoid areas with swooping magpies and plan an alternative route until the behaviour stops.”

Other tips for staying safe around swooping magpies include:

• Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your head and eyes.
• Carry an open umbrella.
• If a bird swoops while you are cycling get off your bike and walk.
• Attach zip ties to your bicycle helmet.
• Do not approach a young bird or interfere with the birds or their nest in any way as this will likely increase swooping behaviour.
• If you are swooped, leave the area quickly but do not run.
• Watch the birds while walking away – it is less likely to swoop if it knows you’re watching.
• Never harass or provoke birds as this makes them more defensive and may lead to a worse attack next time.
• Magpies appear to have very good memories and have been known to attack the same people over subsequent seasons while leaving others alone. If a bird has attacked you before it may be a good idea to use an alternative route – even next season.