In this case, it’s important to stay cool, because wildly flinging your arms over your head is interpreted as aggressive behaviour, and the magpie will subsequently double his efforts to drive you away. There are also “super-swoopers” that are just better to avoid completely. If you can’t do that, at least wear a hat and sunglasses; these will help reduce the chance of a determined magpie pecking a sensitive area. After six swooping seasons, and much gabbing with other cyclists, I’ve compiled this non-exhaustive, entirely unscientific list of magpie coping strategies. “Over 25 years, there has never been a boring moment with magpies,” says Kaplan. death of a 76-year-old cyclist in Wollongong, Five Myths About Magpies You Need To Stop Believing. Enhancing familiarity with your local ’pie doesn’t work in places like public parks where lots of people pass through all the time. Some magpies display marked preferences for swooping certain people, with some specifically targeting posties and others dive-bombing cyclists. Magpies only swoop within 50 metres of their nests so stay away from known magpie nesting areas. And what should you do if you are assailed by an over-protective bird? So how can you avoid swooping this season? Eighty per cent of humans living in magpie territory will never get swooped. This means that they swoop anywhere and everywhere – in urban and rural areas, in parks and gardens, along bike paths and in schools. Almost all attacks are made by male birds that see people who ride or walk as a threat to their young. It seems likely that Australian magpies do the same, effectively holding a grudge against particular people. A magpie swoops a cyclist. But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed - and a few classic tactics that don't work. Every spring in Australia is heralded by reports of","url":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2019\/09\/how-to-survive-magpie-swooping-season-2\/","img":false,"category":"Life","published_at":1569576626,"updated_at":1569576616,"kind":"article"},"ad_location":"mrec-content-mobile","targeting":{"pos":"1"},"provider":"google-dfp","element_id":"ad-slot_mrec-content-mobile_section-index-1_pos-1"} ); siteads.queue.push( {"site":"lifehacker","pagetype":"article","ad_type":"article","sec":"life","amp":false,"ctype":"article","article":"how to survive magpie swooping season 2","article-tags":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"native":["null"],"aggregate":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"pageID":["null"],"sub-sec":"","cat":"life","cat1":"","item":{"objectid":903366,"title":"How To Survive Magpie Swooping Season","text":" Magpie attacks aren't as common as you (and the media) might think. }. If you’ve noticed a magpie is swooping on your walking or cycling route, the best way to avoid being swooped is to change your route. Helmets obscure a person’s face, meaning the magpie can’t determine whether the rider is friend or foe. “With friendship in humans, you don’t need to feed your friends all the time, you have them over for dinner occasionally. Australia's social website to track aggressive swooping magpies in your area. Highly adaptive and socially intelligent. Although they may be common in urban areas, magpie populations have been declining along the east coast since 1998. Remember magpies are urban species too, so there is generally no escaping them! If a threat is spotted, the male may swoop in a defensive warning display. It's officially Spring, which means the return of the dreaded Magpie season. Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. }. The 20 per cent of us who do experience some swooping usually encounter ’pies in public places such as parks and busy roads. US researchers have shown that American crows recognise people who have trapped them to band them, give alarm calls when they next see them, and even pass on that information to untrapped birds who also sound the alarm when they see trappers. founder Jon Clark also recommends keeping calm in the face of magpie mobbing: “Try and keep eye contact with the birds, that works more often than not—especially if you’re walking or running,” he says, “If one swoops and you turn and look at it, keep your eye on it and edge out of its territory. But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed - and a few classic tactics that don't work. Every spring in Australia is heralded by reports of","url":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2019\/09\/how-to-survive-magpie-swooping-season-2\/","img":false,"category":"Life","published_at":1569576626,"updated_at":1569576616,"kind":"article"},"ad_location":"out-of-page-mobile","provider":"google-dfp","element_id":"ad-slot_out-of-page-mobile_section-index-1"} ); 3. Only one in 20 magpie males will engage in swooping antics while mumma magpie incubates alone. Magpie attacks aren't as common as you (and the media) might think. Those who antagonise a magpie—for example by swinging at them with an umbrella—will be perceived as threats and will be treated as such. For example, when a bird of prey invades, magpie troops (sometimes reinforced by noisy miners) will mob it to force a raptor retreat. Male magpies are adapted to drive away potential predators, and are especially when the chicks are vulnerable nestlings. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Some magpies display marked preferences for swooping certain people, with some specifically targeting posties and others dive-bombing cyclists. If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk. if (typeof siteads.queue !== 'undefined') { Even more astonishingly, some magpies seem to really have it in for particular people, and will preferentially attack them. A 76-year-old man from Australia has died in a bicycle crash while trying to escape from a swooping magpie. The thought of an aggressive magpie can be enough to cause nightmares for some. Now you can get the top stories from Lifehacker delivered to your inbox. But beware: “Magpies form memories of enemies as well as of friends,” says Kaplan. The best antidote to swooping is friendship. You will of course be wearing a bike helmet, and as magpies swoop from behind, this will offer protection against its sharp beak. So it's spring here in Australia and sure enough, I'm being attacked everytime I go for a bike ride now! Chris Jager is the former editor of Lifehacker, who specialised in technology and streaming. Cyclists do seem to invoke more extreme reactions than pedestrians, judging by the fact that magpies appear to pursue cyclists farther. Magpie swooping season is supposed to be nearly over - but it appears our black-and-white avian friends didn't get the memo. 1 decade ago How do I stop magpies swooping me when I'm on my bike? Also, magpies usually go back to the same spot every year, so if there was a swooping danger zone on your route last year, it is likely to be there again this year. It therefore stands to reason that the best response to a swooping attack while cycling would be to get off and push your bike. Well it's magpie season 1 (or should that be Australian Airborne Death From Above Squad) so now's the time people want to know How to stop magpies swooping.. if (typeof siteads.queue !== 'undefined') { In fact, it seems like helmets are an issue, as swoops increased after the introduction of mandatory helmet laws in NSW in 1994. These birds are smart—Kaplan places them in the top 20 most intelligent animals in the world. Magpies are less likely to swoop if you look directly at them. Given that magpies have long memories, a few judicious offerings of mince or similar tidbits throughout the year can help you befriend them, making them much more amenable to your presence come spring. Unfortunate posties, travelling the same route each day and meeting the same magpies, seem to end up on the naughty list through no fault of their own. However, not all birds swoop to protect their eggs and young during breeding season, so don't be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area. According to one estimate, fewer than 10% of magpies swoop, and even fewer of these do so consistently. Swooping season various from one part of … I don't want to put those cable ties on my helmet because I'd look like a bit of a douche, and right now I'm drawing lots of eyes to stick on my helmet. Magpies are birds that are recognizable by their black and white feathers. An inventor has engineered a series of helmet attachments to test the best ways to stop magpies from swooping. After all, we still have lots to discover about these super-smart songbirds. Enter your email below. 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. Just like our parents want to keep us safe from harm, magpies will do anything to keep their precious eggs safe during the vulnerable incubation period. Once the chicks are out the males seem to calm down; presumably they perceive nest-bound chicks as most vulnerable. Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies. Magpies swoop to defend their nest and stop swooping once the chicks leave home. siteads.queue.push( {"site":"lifehacker","pagetype":"article","ad_type":"article","sec":"life","amp":false,"ctype":"article","article":"how to survive magpie swooping season 2","article-tags":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"native":["null"],"aggregate":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"pageID":["null"],"sub-sec":"","cat":"life","cat1":"","item":{"objectid":903366,"title":"How To Survive Magpie Swooping Season","text":" Magpie attacks aren't as common as you (and the media) might think. Ditto the idea of painting eyes on the back of your helmet or hat. But regardless of their relative rarity, being the target of a swooping attack by a magpie can be frightening. if (typeof siteads.queue !== 'undefined') { They also have a lot of character. For starters, they provide free pest control by munching on bugs. Avoid 'defence zones' by taking alternative routes during the breeding season. So be kind, and magpies will be kind in return. Targets of this swooping behaviour can include cyclists, joggers, walkers, pets, birds of prey, and even other magpies. Here are five bogus magpie myths that the nation needs to debunk. How do you know where these overly zealous helicopter parents reside? allows users to submit swooping reports which are logged by location on an interactive map. Cross the road or avoid known swooping trees for the first few weeks of spring. Magpies have excellent memories and can recognise individual faces. To stop the swooping, the best thing to do is to get off and walk rather than ride past them. MagpieAlert! But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed – and a few classic tactics that don’t work. Magpie attacks aren’t as common as you (and the media) might think. A swoop can catch you unawares and, occasionally, magpie swoops can even cause injury. What to do if a Magpie is Swooping on Your Route. They enjoy sunbathing, play-fighting, frolicking in sprinklers, and swinging on washing lines. The website MagpieAlert! If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk. It is almost always males that swoop, and they only do so when they have chicks in the nest. But don’t overfeed them – it’s just a friendly bribe, not a full-blown dependency. For some reason, certain males … If you have magpies in your garden, perhaps the most appealing way of avoiding attacks is to become their best friend. If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping magpie attacks on-line here! 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. As a stranger in his territory, Mr Magpie may feel the need to swoop (but he’s unlikely to make contact on first plunge). Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season. The best way to avoid being swooped by a magpie is to change your walking or cycling route. “It’s extremely valuable for other smaller songbirds who congregate around magpies because they know they are going to be defended.”. In practice, however, swooping magpies can be dangerous, according to Professor Darryl Jones, a behavioural ecologist at Griffith University. “A magpie’s behaviour is far more like a dog’s,” she says. Other birds recognise the magpie’s alarm call and will seek safety while the magpies vigorously defend an area. The speed of cyclists also appears to be a factor, as more often than not, dismounting and walking slowly will stop the swoop-nado. They even appear to quardle-oodle-ardle just for the fun of it, like humming in humans. Bear that in mind, and we can hopefully reach a détente with our feathered (and occasionally flustered) friends. It's at this time of year that cyclists of all persuasions take on a slightly unhealthy pallour, and get a bit wild around the eyes at the prospect of solo rides: magpies are unabashed cowards and will rarely attack a large … Australian magpies, Gymnorhina tibicen, are protective parents. 1 decade ago Does wearing cable ties and/or drawing eyes on your helmet stop magpies swooping when cycling? It has resulted in injuries and, tragically this week, the death of a 76-year-old cyclist in Wollongong. “Breeding magpies are the high achievers of magpie society,” says Kaplan. Many more swoops have been reported in the eastern states than in Western Australia, and fewest of all in Tasmania. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and And some hold a deep animus against posties on bikes, and reserve their fury solely for them. Turning to face magpies may also help – many birds do not appreciate being stared at, and as magpies prefer to swoop from behind, this may be a good tactic if you find yourself cornered in a park. However, as nesting season progresses, magpies may swoop more frequently and are more likely to make contact with an intruder. A bike rider has died while trying to avoid a bird in Wollongong on Sunday, as Australia moves into prime swooping season. siteads.queue.push( {"site":"lifehacker","pagetype":"article","ad_type":"article","sec":"life","amp":false,"ctype":"article","article":"how to survive magpie swooping season 2","article-tags":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"native":["null"],"aggregate":["angry birds","au","birds","magpies","science"],"pageID":["null"],"sub-sec":"","cat":"life","cat1":"","item":{"objectid":903366,"title":"How To Survive Magpie Swooping Season","text":" Magpie attacks aren't as common as you (and the media) might think. Although other causes of swooping behaviour have been proposed, including territoriality and testosterone levels, research suggests that nest defence is the underlying reason. Aside from preventing swooping, befriending your local magpie has many benefits. Sadly it seems that the classic tactic of attaching cable ties to your helmet does little to deter a determined magpie, beyond the fact that some strategic placing can help keep them away from your ears. Helmets with cable ties, or a flag on your bike, can also help deter magpies. Magpies are smart, extremely territorial and will swoop riders from up to 100m away from their nest. Is It Legal To Kill Magpies In Australia? More reassuringly, however, magpies really only swoop in the vicinity of their nest, so once you have moved away you should be safe. There's national crowd-sourced map Magpie Alert showing you … In the meantime, if you are unlucky enough to be swooped, remember to help others avoid the same fate by posting the details to Magpie Alert!. Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2020! Magpie swooping avoidance strategies. Avoid known nesting areas and any swooping … So, what’s the deal with magpies and bikes? “Magpies are the policemen of the bush,” says Kaplan. Is any of the advice meted out each year on avoiding attacks actually worthwhile, or backed by evidence? But just because something is scary doesn't mean you should believe everything you hear. In fact it is estimated that only 9% of magpies swoop. If you’re really having trouble getting your locals to become feathered friends, the occasional titbit of heart-smart mince can help—but be wary of feeding too often, as foraged food is better for wild birds. Spring is the season for blooming flowers, frolicking lambs and… the wild beak-clacking terror of swooping birds? It therefore stands to reason that the best response to a swooping attack while cycling would be to get off and push your bike. Instead, Kaplan suggests moving quietly away from the bird’s nest and engaging in calm conversation, while showing your face gives the magpie a chance to remember you. A swoop can catch you unawares and, occasionally, magpie swoops can even cause injury. Urban populations are increasing as drought forces birds from the inland to the coast, but overall this iconic species is in decline. For the rest of the year magpies are peaceful urban nighbours who delight us with their distinctive song. Swooping birds can be a frightening experience. Magpies seem to get most of the mentions, but in my local area there are a couple of very vicious butcherbirds that re-emerge at this time of year to protect their babies. But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed - and a few classic tactics that don't work. Every spring in Australia is heralded by reports of","url":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2019\/09\/how-to-survive-magpie-swooping-season-2\/","img":false,"category":"Life","published_at":1569576626,"updated_at":1569576616,"kind":"article"},"ad_location":"mrec-content-mobile","targeting":{"pos":"2"},"provider":"google-dfp","element_id":"ad-slot_mrec-content-mobile_section-index-1_pos-2"} ); Deterring Magpies and other larger birds! Every spring in Australia is heralded by reports of magpies swooping at people. It therefore stands to reason that the best response to a swooping attack while cycling would be to get off and push your bike. Springtime is baby time, which means it’s also protect-your-chick time for magpie mums and dads across Australia. We need to learn to live alongside these over-protective parents for their continued survival. 3D printing inventor tests out a series of helmet attachments to find out what REALLY stops magpies swooping you – with some surprising results Youtuber Alister Laidlaw this week tested the best defences against magpies He 3D printed twigs, cable ties, and a magpie, then attached them to a helmet Cycling down a path, he […] If you spot a magpie nesting site then stay well clear and even plan alternative routes. It’s a good idea to reroute to give these ultra-defensive males their space. }. Cyclists do seem to invoke more extreme reactions than pedestrians, judging by the fact that magpies appear to pursue cyclists farther. From time to time, you might pass by a bird you’re not acquainted with. Once this has occurred, the parent magpies should stop swooping, which should be around November (at the latest). With more and more of us choosing to feed our local garden birds, there are more and more pests stumbling upon our patches and making their presence known! Instead of waging war, it might make more sense to extend an olive branch. “Birds in these situations simply cannot recognise that many faces and don’t try,” says Jones. Magpies tend to nest in the same spots every year, meaning déjà vu attacks for anyone cycling a regular route. Swooping behaviour also seems to vary across Australia – at least according to Magpie Alert!, a website on which the public can report magpie attacks. “They have survived years of hardship, fought hard to get a territory and have been able to find a partner.”. Magpie season is currently in full swing (or should that be swoop?) And obviously if you’re cycling, get off your bike.”. Attaching googly eyes or cable ties to your helmet isn’t effective. “They still surprise.”, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, display marked preferences for swooping certain people, magpie populations have been declining along the east coast since 1998. So is it legal to kill one of these angry birds before it pecks an eye out? This week, Parliament House officials were forced to install alarms and fake hawks to stop magpies from attacking politicians and staff. Native birds such as Australian Magpies are highly protective of their eggs, nest and young and will often swoop at unsuspecting passers-by if they feel threatened. As with just about everything involving biology, the answer is “it depends”. But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed - and … “Swooping is a strategy to safeguard the nest site, but the species itself is neither inherently dangerous nor aggressive,” says Emeritus Professor Gisela Kaplan, professor in animal behaviour at the University of New England who has spent the last 25 years studying magpies. They also help protect other smaller songbirds that live alongside them. Female magpies don't swoop at all as they are busy tending to their chicks and only some males do. Those ruthless swooping demons are extremely aggressive during this time of year as they defend their nests with gusto around gardens, schoolyards and parks. Many gardeners consider magpies a nuisance, especially when the birds eat garden fruits and vegetables, or when they become aggressive during the summer in an attempt to … If you spot a magpie nesting site, then stay well clear and even plan alternative routes. Every year between July and November, magpie dads spend four to six weeks keeping watch over their nesting site for unwelcome intruders. What can we do to avoid ending up on the receiving end? The same is true of birds … The occasional feeding is a mark of friendship,” says Kaplan. While it is of little comfort to those at the receiving end of a surprise attack, such events are actually quite rare when one considers the number of magpies across Australia, and the fact that they love to share our urban habitat with us. Bill Bateman, Associate professor, Curtin University. To easily identify swooping birds, see our list of common swooping birds, or check out our Flickr gallery. “There are important reasons for accepting that magpies actually are aggressive—for very sensible reasons such as keeping threats away from their precious nestlings—and they most certainly can be extremely dangerous. Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2020! If you must enter a ‘defence zone’, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group. // Six Tips to Avoid Swooping Magpies ... Mum gets swooped by a magpie while cycling, ... Cyclist laughs as magpie swoops him on bike (and tips how to stop magpies swooping) … Privacy Policy. If all else fails, simply console yourself with the fact that swooping season only lasts a few weeks. Nearly all swooping magpies are male - That figures! Some of us enjoy all types of birds and other wildlife visiting our garden or local patch. Some magpies never attack pedestrians but go for cyclists; others do the opposite. If you become aware of swooping attacks in a certain area the best thing is to avoid it – even just crossing the road should be sufficient. You can also try wearing your sunglasses on the back of your head, or drawing or sewing eyes onto the back of a hat. If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk. So if you frequent an area enough, they may recognise you as the friendly neighbourhood human and won’t swoop. Thousands of people are injured every year,” he explains. But is the ‘aggressive’ and ‘dangerous’ reputation of this songbird deserved? The best way to avoid being swooped is to change your route. But there are methods you can use to try and deter a swooping … Image adapted from: Roman Joost/Flickr; CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk. Magpies have a swoop zone in a radius of about 150 metres (500 feet) from their nest. When it comes to cycling everyone knows that 87 per-cent of being a real ‘cyclist’ is in fact how you look while riding and sitting at the coffee shop and not how fast you can actually ride. Targets of this swooping behaviour can include cyclists, joggers, walkers, pets, birds of prey, and even other magpies. with dozens of parks and playgrounds descending into avian war zones. Although Australian magpies are not related to true crows, they do share similar levels of intelligence. Magpies!