In Australia, there are three ways to avoid being attacked by swooping magpies.

1. 1

   Pay close attention to the areas where magpies build their nests. You should make a mental note of this for possible use in the future if you walk or ride your bike through an area that has magpie nesting activity. You will then be able to warn other people and make arrangements to avoid the area.

2. 2

   Inform the neighborhood council that there are magpies nesting in your vicinity. Because of this, the local government will be able to post warning signs around the neighborhood that will remind everyone to be careful. In the meantime, while you wait for the government to erect its own, you could also make your own sign. [1]

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Keep an ear out for magpies traveling in groups. You'll be able to pick out the shrill cries of these birds whenever they get together. When a magpie is all by itself, it tends to keep to itself and its song is soft and soothing. Despite this, they work together to encourage one another, and as a result, their cries become increasingly more audible. [2]

   • Individual magpies have a tendency to be less territorial than groups of magpies, so if you come across a nesting site that also contains a flock of birds, you should assume that the surrounding area is more hazardous than if there were only one magpie nesting there.

4. 4

   Keep an eye out for flocks of magpies. You should also keep an eye out for these different kinds of birds. They frequently congregate in groups of two to ten birds, so you ought to be able to find them if they are traveling in any of these larger groups. The majority of these birds are black, but their heads and wings are white. [3]

   • Look up magpie databases online that cover your region, and be sure to update those databases whenever you come across nesting locations.

5. 5

   Find a different way to get where you need to go. If you come across a nesting site or a bird in flight, the best thing to do is simply change your route rather than continuing along the one you had planned. You may find that simply walking on the opposite side of the road, away from the magpies, is sufficient to avoid being attacked by them. You are not required to make a significant change to your route. [4]

   • There is a limit to how far a magpie will go to defend its nest. If you're on foot, it's most likely only going to go a distance of 110 meters (360 feet), but if you're riding a bike, it could go as far as 150 meters (490 feet). [5]

6. 6

   Prepare a different path for the breeding season. The months of June through December make up the nesting season. If a nesting site is located along your normal walking route, it is highly recommended that you find an alternate route to take during this time period. [6]

   • Alternately, you could take a taxi, ride the bus, or drive during this time period if you have the means to do so.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Get out of there as fast as you can and walk away from the area. If you failed to recognize the signs that a magpie was nearby and now find yourself being attacked by one, you should leave the area as quickly and as calmly as you can. It is best not to try to run away, yell, or flail your arms about, as the bird might interpret these actions as an attempt to hurt it. [7] Keep your head up and walk tall; some birds may be dissuaded from attacking if you project an air of self-assurance. [8]

   • Children have a tendency to react in a panicked manner, running away and screaming; they do this without thinking, so it is important to teach them as young as possible to maintain their composure.
   • A magpie's first swoop is typically a warning swoop, and it is possible for a magpie to suffer severe injuries or even die if it makes contact with another bird while swooping. Frequently, it will make an effort to avoid making actual contact.

2. 2

   Get the magpie's attention by making eye contact with it. Since magpies typically dive from behind, they are much less likely to do so if they are being directly observed. You should make an effort to keep eye contact as you walk away by looking back over your shoulder as frequently as you can. You could also try walking in the opposite direction, but make sure to turn around at regular intervals to avoid tripping and injuring yourself. [9]

   • Maintain as much concentration on the magpie as you can.

3. 3

   If you are swooped, you need to get off your bike immediately. There are times when simply dismounting is sufficient to calm the magpie. It appears that magpies are most aggravated when they encounter bicycles. If you continue to ride your bike while the bird is diving at you, you run the risk of having an accident. [10]

   • When you get off your bike, your helmet will protect you, and while you are riding, you won't be distracted by a bird flapping its wings in front of your face. Get away from the magpie as quickly as you can on foot with the bike.

4. 4

   Never make magpies feel threatened in any way. When a magpie has been harassed by humans in the past, it will no longer trust them. Don't yell at the magpie because it might take your words as an invitation to attack. Do not climb a tree or throw rocks in an attempt to destroy a nest. Keep in mind that magpies are extremely protective of their young and will make their presence known if they believe the chicks are in danger. [11]

   • In general, it is against the law in Australia to kill native birds and animals unless you have a license or some other appropriate authorization to do so. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you live outside of Australia, for example in New Zealand, check with the appropriate local authorities to determine whether or not your Australian Magpie problem justifies the elimination of the animals.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Move around in groups to deter potential attackers. Magpies are more likely to attack a solitary person who is walking alone. If you are with others, the magpie may perceive that it is outnumbered, and as a result, it will be less likely to attack. [12]

2. 2

   You should equip yourself with eyes in the back of your head. The answer is no, this is not a joke. Fake eyes can have a similar effect to staring down a magpie, which makes sense given that doing so makes the bird less likely to attack. In order to accomplish this, you should affix fake eyes to your headgear so the magpie will believe you are watching it from either side of your head. You could even use googly eyes that you purchase from a craft store or ones that you cut out of magazines. Using tape with a double-sided backing, fasten them to the inside of the hood of the sweatshirt. [13]

   • One more tip is to wear one's sunglasses on the back of one's head or hat.

3. 3

   Put zip ties on your helmet If you are going to be riding a bike, secure a variety of zip ties in a haphazard pattern to the helmet. Pick out some vibrant hues. If you let the strips remain long, the brilliant display might be enough to divert the magpie's attention. [14]

   • This strategy can be used on its own or in conjunction with fake eyes, whichever you prefer.
   • In the event that you do not have any zip ties available, you can use pipe cleaners instead.

4. 4

   Put on some shades and a sturdy hat to guard your eyes from the sun. In the event that a magpie decides to get too close to you, these garments will protect your eyes and scalp. Be sure that the hat is sturdy enough to withstand an attack from both claws and a beak. [15]

5. 5

   When you're near nesting areas, bring an umbrella. If you have an umbrella, you should open it up and carry it while you walk through the area where the birds are nesting. You won't have to worry about getting attacked by the magpie. In addition to that, it will protect you from the heat of the sun. [16]

   • In the event that the magpie decides to launch an attack, it will most likely aim for the highest point, which is your umbrella.

6. 6

   If necessary, you should cover your head with your arms. If you have nothing else to protect your head with, covering your head in this manner could be your best option if you find yourself being attacked by a bird. First, shield your eyes and head with a bag or some other type of protective surface, but if you don't have anything else, cover your face and head with your arms. [17]

   • Alternately, you can improvise other solutions, such as making use of a newspaper. Anything you can find to use as a head covering will be helpful.
   • If you are carrying a baby or an infant, you need to exercise extreme caution. Having a panic attack over the possibility of a magpie attacking the baby and then dropping the child, possibly outside on a hard surface, could end in tragedy.

Advertisement

Put It Into Words!