How to Keep Safe from Swooping Australian Magpies

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Australian magpies are notorious for a habit that can cause injury and distress to humans - swooping. Magpies swoop to protect their territory when they feel their nests are threatened during nesting season, but this action can result in skin and eye injuries. Though it is rare for a magpie to actually make contact, a swooping magpie can cause bicycles accidents, resulting in injury to yourself or others. Therefore, it's important for you to take precautions around these birds and leave them to their nesting as much as possible.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Checking for Nests and Groups

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  1. If you see magpie nesting activity occurring in an area where you walk or cycle, make note of it for future reference. That way, you can warn others and make plans to avoid the area.
  2. This will permit the council to leave warning notices out that will alert everyone in the area to take care. You could also make your own sign while waiting for the government to put one up. [1]
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  3. When these birds get together, you'll hear shrill cries. When a magpie is by itself, it's generally pretty calm and its song is gentle. However, together, they egg each other on, and their cries get louder and louder. [2]
    • Groups of magpies tend to be more territorial, so if you see a nesting site with a flock of birds, that area will likely be more dangerous than a single nesting magpie.
  4. You should also be on the lookout for these birds. They tend to form flocks of 2-10 birds, so you should be able to spot them if they are in one of these groups. These birds are mostly black with some white on their wings and heads. [3]
    • Look for online magpie databases for your area and update the database where you notice nesting locations.
  5. If you spot a nesting site or a swooping bird, it's easiest just to go a different way instead of the route you've chosen. You don't have to necessarily change your route drastically; even walking on the opposite side of the road away from the magpies may be enough. [4]
    • A magpie will only defend its nest so far. If you're walking, it's likely only to go 110 metres (360 ft), though it may go as far as 150 metres (490 ft) if you're on a bike. [5]
  6. The nesting season runs from June to December. If a nesting site is along your daily walking path, it may be best just to find a new way to go for this time period.
    • Alternatively, take public transport or travel by car during this time period if you can.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Getting Away from Swooping Magpies

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  1. If you missed the warning signs of a magpie and find yourself being swooped by one, walk out of there as calmly and as quickly as you can. Don't try to run, yell, or flap your arms about, as the bird may see this as an attack. [6] Stand up and walk tall, a confident stance can discourage some birds from attacking. [7]
    • Children will often react in a panicked way, running away and screaming; they do it without thinking so train them early to keep calm.
    • The first swoop is generally a warning swoop, and a magpie can be severely injured or die from making contact via swooping. Often, it will try to avoid actual contact.
  2. Magpies usually swoop from behind, so they are much less likely to swoop if they are being watched directly. As you walk away, try to maintain eye contact by looking over your shoulder as often as you can. You can also try walking backward, but make sure to turn around periodically so you don't fall and injure yourself. [8]
    • Stare down the magpie as best you can!
  3. Sometimes, just dismounting is enough to calm the magpie. Bicycles seem to irritate magpies the most. If you stay on your bike, the bird's swoops could cause you to have an accident. [9]
    • Off your bike, your helmet will protect you and you will not be distracted by a bird swooping in your face while riding. Walk the bike quickly out of the vicinity of the magpie.
  4. A magpie who has experienced harassment will cease to trust humans. Don't yell at the magpie, as it may see that as an attack. Do not throw rocks or climb a tree to destroy a nest. Remember that magpies are fiercely family protective and will react if they feel the chicks are threatened. [10]
    • In general terms, the killing of native birds and animals is illegal in Australia unless you hold a licence or have the relevant authorisation to do so. If you live outside of Australia, for example in New Zealand, check with the relevant local authorities if your Australian Magpie issue warrants exterminating them.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Protective Measures

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  1. Magpies are more likely to attack a single person walking by themselves. If you're in a group, the magpie may feel outnumbered and is less likely to swoop down. [11]
  2. No, this is not a joke! Because you can stare down a magpie and it won't attack, fake eyes can have a similar effect. To this end, add fake eyes to your headgear to make the magpie think you are watching it from either side of your head. You can even use googly eyes from the craft store or just ones cut out from a magazine. Attach them to the back of the hood of a hoodie with double-sided tape. [12]
    • Another trick is to wear your sunglasses on the back of your hat or head.
  3. If you are riding a bike, attach zip ties to the helmet in a random pattern. Choose bright colors. Leave the strips long, and the bright display may be enough to distract the magpie. [13]
    • You can use this tactic on its own or in combination with fake eyes.
    • Try pipe cleaners in place of zip ties if that's what you have on hand.
  4. These garments will protect your scalp and eyes if a magpie decides to get too close. Make sure the hat is solid enough to protect against claws and a beak. [14]
  5. If you have an umbrella, open it up and walk with it through the nesting area. It will protect you from the magpie. As an added bonus, it will keep off the sun too! [15]
    • If the magpie does attack, it will likely go for the highest point: your umbrella.
  6. If you find yourself being swooped by a bird, covering your head this way may be your best bet if you have nothing else. Opt for a bag or other protective surface first, but if you have nothing else, protect your eyes and head with your arms. [16]
    • You can also improvise other solutions, such as a newspaper. Anything you can use to cover your head will help.
    • Be extremely cautious if you're carrying a baby or infant. Panicking about a magpie attack and dropping the baby, potentially outdoors on a hard surface, could result in tragedy.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I prevent magpies from entering and nesting in our house?
    Elmer Bensinger
    Pest Control Specialist
    Elmer Bensinger is a Pest Control Specialist with Eden Advanced Pest Technologies in Spokane, Washington. With over 20 years of experience, Elmer specializes in integrated pest management and products such as insecticides and rodenticides. He studied business at South Puget Sound Community College.
    Elmer Bensinger
    Pest Control Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Seal all possible entry points to keep them out of your home. This can be done by patching up holes on the roof, sealing around windows and doors, and cutting back any branches that could give them a convenient landing place to jump onto your house. You can also use bird deterrents such as netting, spikes, or ultrasonic repellents so that they will be discouraged from landing at your home. 
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      Tips

      • Nesting season varies depending on where you are located in Australia or elsewhere Australian Magpies live. While the season can be around July - November, the worst period tends to be August to November (springtime) and usually lasts 4 - 6 weeks while the chicks are in the nest. For the rest of the year, magpies and humans happily co-exist.
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      • Magpies are found in New South Wales, Victoria, eastern South Australia, southwest Western Australia, Tasmania, and the coastal ranges of Queensland.
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      • These birds are highly intelligent and family-loving. Co-existing with magpies is easy to do once you understand how and when to be prepared. It is only a small proportion of magpies who see humans as a threat and resort to swooping, and even then, it is only within a limited territorial area.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/australian-magpie
      2. ↑ https://blog.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/how-to-avoid-being-swooped-by-a-magpie/
      3. ↑ https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/animals/living-with-wildlife/35_magpies.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/city-file/article/how-stay-safe-swooping-season
      5. ↑ https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/magpie_safe.html
      6. ↑ https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/australian-magpie
      7. ↑ https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/animals/living-with-wildlife/35_magpies.pdf
      8. ↑ https://blog.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/how-to-avoid-being-swooped-by-a-magpie/
      9. ↑ https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-VMS-36-21-02
      1. ↑ https://blog.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/how-to-avoid-being-swooped-by-a-magpie/
      2. ↑ https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds
      3. ↑ https://blog.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/how-to-avoid-being-swooped-by-a-magpie/
      4. ↑ https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-VMS-36-21-02
      5. ↑ https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-VMS-36-21-02
      6. ↑ https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-VMS-36-21-02
      7. ↑ https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To keep safe from swooping Australian magpies, avoid walking or biking through magpie nesting areas since magpies are more likely to swoop to protect their territory. If you do stumble upon a magpie nesting area or find a magpie swooping at you, walk away quickly and calmly, and try to maintain eye contact with the bird to scare it off. Also, consider wearing a helmet and sunglasses or carrying an umbrella if you know you'll be walking or biking through a nesting area. To learn how to locate magpie nesting areas, keep reading!

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      • Gabriel Carroll

        Sep 12, 2016

        "I am a first-time visitor to Australia from California, and have already experienced several swoops while bicycling ..." more
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