Why do magpies swoop?
Birds swoop to protect their territory and swooping occurs more between September and December which is the main breeding time. According to Victoria’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, most birds will swoop within 30 to 50 metres of their nest. Swooping is actually just a warning, aimed to threaten and ward off potential intruders. Experts say it’s rare that a magpie will attack, but if a threat remains then a magpie will swoop, hover above its target and then attack. In an attack, they use their beaks and aim for the scalp, face or eyes. Commonly, magpies won’t attack if you travel in a group and there’s many reports that they are dissuaded from swooping when they think they’re being watched so drawing a set of eyes on your helmet or wearing your sunglasses backward can work. If you are under attack from a bird, don’t panic and run as it will just encourage the bird to continue, the advice is to stay calm and move to a safe area. Cyclists, particularly children, are warne
