Australians are being urged to take care while outdoors as magpie nesting season gets underway.
Australians have been urged to be mindful of magpies as swooping season gets underway - here's how you can avoid getting pecked this Spring Experts have warned Australians that magpies are already preparing to protect their nests.
Here's how you can avoid the dreaded swoop this Spring.From late August to mid November, memes and warnings pop up on social media every year as the black and white bird swoops from lampposts, trees, telegraph poles and trees in a bid to protect their nests. But despite their reputation as a fearsome bird, there are some simple tips that people can take to avoid being swooped by magpies. Australians are being urged to be mindful of magpies protecting their nests as swooping season gets underway. PICTURE: Magpie swooping/Berrigan Shire Council Dr Meg Edwards, a wildlife science lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland has said that there have already been 600 cases of magpies swooping across Australia this year. She told Channel Nine that it is only the males that tend to swoop, and it is only a small percentage of them. "It's simply a defensive behaviour where they're trying to sort of say, 'back off, don't come near me',” she said. Dr Edwards said that as magpies have a good memory, they may interpret people as a recurring threat to their nests and eggs. "So, if you've been swooped in a particular area, unfortunately it's likely that you'll get swooped again by that same magpie." There are some tips that people can do to avoid becoming a recurring victim of magpies if they cannot avoid walking through an area that involves being swooped by the bird. The Queensland Environment Department advised cyclists to put cable ties in their helmets and should dismount from their bike and walk to appear less threatening. Magpies tend to go after cyclists and walkers and are believed to have good memories. PICTURE: Randwick City Council Whilst the NSW National Parks Service suggests that the best way to avoid being used for target practice is to maintain eye contact with the bird. It is also suggested that wearing a hat and sunglasses can protect your head if you have been swooped. Protecting your pet and not leaving them alone or off-lead in an area with a swooping bird is also advised. Experts also warn people not to chase or throw things at a magpie, as the birds can become aggressive towards people if they are harassed.
Magpie Swooping Swooping Season
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