It’s magpie swooping season

It’s swooping season!

It’s that time of year again…

Magpies are starting to nest around Australia – which means swooping season is upon us. Here’s how you can help keep yourself (and your neighbourhood magpies!) safe this swooping season!

Why do magpies swoop?

When magpie breeding season begins, so too does the swooping.

Swooping usually occurs when the magpies have young in the nest, or just after the young have fledged, when they are at their most vulnerable to predators.

Magpies swoop to protect their chicks from whatever they perceive as nearby threats. To a magpie, the faster you’re moving, the greater the threat – which is why cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers are common targets.

People often assume that swooping by magpies is aggressive behaviour, but experts agree that it is generally a defence strategy aimed to deter potential predators which may harm the young birds. Unfortunately, people fit into this category.

But despite their reputation, magpie attacks are relatively rare – less than 10% of males swoop people, and research suggests it’s a learned behaviour.

Most magpies don’t swoop, and of those that do, only a tiny minority actually make contact. Most of the time, birds will make a harmless (though often terrifying) near miss, accompanied by beak clicking.

Where (and when) swooping season occurs

Typically, the breeding season for Australian Magpies is from August to November – with swooping regularly recorded each spring across the mainland and virtually everywhere magpies occur.

Swooping season usually commences first in the northern parts of the magpies’ range, and then progressively moves southwards, with records in south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales usually starting in July and August. This contrasts with southern Victoria, where swooping season peaks in September. However, earlier reports are not unknown throughout their range.

Did you know: magpies rarely swoop people in Tasmania – but the reason for their relaxed attitude to people is unknown.

How to avoid being swooped

To reduce the risk of being swooped by a magpie, try these steps:

• Keep your distance: If you can, it’s best to avoid the area during swooping season – usually for a month or so while chicks are still in the nest. Otherwise, it’s best to keep a safe distance from their nest and move quickly through the area: magpies typically swoop pedestrians within 50 metres of their nest, or 100 metres for cyclists.
• Get off your bike: if you’re on a bike, it’s safest to get off and walk away. Attaching cable ties to your helmet or a flag to your bike will also help direct swooping birds away from your face.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat or helmet to help protect your face while walking or riding near swooping magpies. You can even try drawing a pair of eyes and wearing them at the back of your head, as birds are less likely to attack if they think you’re watching them.

What to do if you get swooped by a magpie

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, do you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons!

To a magpie, if you run away screaming with arms flailing, this confirms you’re a threat that needs swooping.

Make friends (not enemies!) with your local magpies

Remember: swooping magpies are only trying to protect their family.

Magpies are one of Australia’s most common and widespread birds, especially where there are people – so it’s important that we can co-exist peacefully with them in our cities, suburbs and towns.

Find out more ways to help the birds in your backyards (including magpies).