Australians are reporting that the dreaded magpie swooping season has begun.
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The ominous sound of flapping wings is enough to inspire terror in any cyclist or pedestrian and Australia's Magpie Swooping Map already has nearly 100 reports of magpie attacks since the beginning of August.
Why do magpies swoop?
Magpie breeding season typically happens between August and October during which overprotective male magpies swoop if they perceive people to be a threat to their nest.
"During this time, male magpies take up the role of the protector, with some using swooping as a tactic to defend their nests," South Australian environment department principal ecologist Karl Hillyard said.
"They will do this from the time the eggs are laid until the young birds are ready to fly, which is normally about four to five weeks after hatching."
But magpies are not generally an aggressive species, according to University of New England professor of animal behaviour Gisela Kaplan.
"Magpies often set up territories in close proximity to people's properties. They get to know the owners, and even their pets, and never swoop them even at the height of the breeding season," she said.
"This occurs in more than 80 per cent of all people-magpie interactions, proving beyond doubt that magpies are not an aggressive species."
Male magpies do not swoop or attack for the remainder of the year.
How to avoid getting swooped
Professor Kaplan said there are stages to a magpie swoop including an initial warning.
"In stage one, the male magpie might beak-clap and swoop towards an object of intrusion but not near it," she said.
"Then, if the intruder does not respond to these warnings, the magpie will resort to stage two and will swoop again, but this time closer to the target. Finally, and only if all earlier strategies did not work, the magpie will actually set out to attack."
Experts say there are steps we can take to avoid getting swooped by these territorial birds.
- Travel in groups as swooping birds usually only target individuals.
- Carry an open umbrella above your head.
- Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat.
- If you ride a bike, walk it through a bird's territory or have a flag on the back of the bike that is higher than your head.
- Walk, don't run.
- Avoid making eye contact with the birds.
These native birds can mimic over 35 species of native and introduced bird species, as well as other animal calls, such as those of dogs and horses.
Magpies have also been noted to mimic human speech when living in close proximity to humans.
Professor Kaplan said there is overwhelming evidence that free ranging magpies can form long-lasting friendships with people, which are enriching and harmonious for both the birds and humans.
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