Watch out for swooping magpies

Magpie’s protective swooping behaviour is in full force while they breed from August to October each year, with an elevated level of swooping activity from July to December.

There have been reports of swooping magpies near the Cunnamulla Post Office, Bob Poncho Park, Apex Park, and in front of the Paroo Shire Hall and Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre.

There are a few techniques that can be used to avoid or minimise the chance of a magpie attack:

• If possible, avoid areas where magpies are breeding and nesting for the duration of the breeding season. Magpies swoop to scare the intruder away from the nest, not to cause injury. Leave the area as quickly as possible and the bird should stop swooping;
• Remove unnecessary sources of water from the backyard;
• If you must enter the area, keep the bird under constant observation as it is less likely to swoop when it is being watched. Also, wear a hat or helmet or carry an umbrella;
• Do not feed magpies. Ensure no scraps of food or rubbish are left lying around;
• If you are swooped upon, do not crouch in fear, or stop. Move on quickly but don’t run. Most importantly, never deliberately provoke a magpie as this usually results in greater defensive behaviour;
• Cyclists should dismount their bikes and walk away. It is believed the birds respond mainly to movement;
• Never harass or provoke magpies as this may lead to a worse attack next time;
• Do not try and kill or cause injury to the magpies;
• Do not remove nests or eggs;
• Do not touch young birds on the ground; and
• Do not disturb the birds when there are fledglings in the nest.

Swooping Magpies Fact Sheet