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Close Encounters of the Bird Kind!

Close Encounters of the Bird Kind – Magpie Alert!

Words & pictures by Ewa Meyer, EcoUpdate Editor.

Here’s the next instalment of Close Encounters where I’ll be talking about some of the interactions we have with the wildlife in our neighbourhoods, both positive and not, and we’ll be discussing some ways on how best we can deal with them. Previous articles about window strikes, feeding wild birds, how we’re poisoning birds, as well as all the practical ways we can ‘Join the Plots’ in our neighbourhoods are listed below under ‘Useful links.’

How many people reading this have been swooped by a magpie at this time of year – late winter/early spring? Have you noticed how the perception of our beloved magpie goes from melodic music maker to much maligned maverick? Yes magpie swooping season is upon us – but where I live, there hasn’t been a single incident that I know of. It’s really not that common but when it happens it can be very serious.

Not all magpies swoop!

So, is the Australian Magpie unfairly maligned?

I first met Dr Darryl Jones in 2001 when I was organising Brisbane’s ‘Urban Wildlife Forum: thriving or just surviving.’ Darryl was also a regular contributor to our magazine Wildlife Australia and through his ‘easy listening’ style of teaching, my love and concern for urban wildlife began. Little did I know then, how significant and groundbreaking the work by his Griffith University’s Suburban Wildlife Research Group was to become – not just on magpie behaviour but many other wildlife interactions in cities and their suburbs. This was an area of wildlife ecology not studied previously as it had been considered that true wildlife research had to be done out in the bush away from any human habitation.

However, humans have created the perfect habitat for magpies with lawns in the suburbs and large open pastures in rural areas. Grassed areas contain worms, beetles and larvae. You don’t see magpies as frequently or in great numbers in woodlands or other undisturbed areas. They are there yet but are more timid than the ones accustomed to living in busy neighbourhoods.

Apart from lawns, the other thing we have created for them is fast moving predators – cyclists, posties and joggers! 
Here’s a brief summary of research findings about the swooping behaviour of magpies:

  • The breeding season is the only time this behaviour has been recorded.
  • Swooping occurs near the nest site.
  • Very few individual magpies become aggressive. Approx 10%.
  • It’s nearly always the male who attacks.
  • Attacks tend to stop once chicks have left the nest site.

WHY do magpies attack?

People may have their own theories about why this happens – but detailed research carried out initially by Dr Darryl Jones and his team at Griffith University in the 1990s continues to be supported.
In his book ‘Magpie Alert’,  Dr Jones talks about 6 main hypotheses. These are: 

  • Brood defence – most likely
  • Territoriality  – less likely
  • Hormones – testosterone dismissed
  • Learned from parents – not proven
  • Human harassment – possible but insufficient evidence
  • Response to a stimulus – unknown, but do not ‘rescue’ fallen chicks. You’ll likely be seen as a predator.

However Dr Jones is quick to remind us that the issue is far more complex than we might think, especially as so few individuals actually commit this offensive behaviour. In fact we cannot unequivocally deduce that all individuals that attack do it for the same aforementioned reasons.


WHO are the main targets?

Most magpies that swoop will ‘specialise’ in only one target – posties, cyclists and joggers are at the top of the list. These perceived threats to their chicks move quickly through the same area regularly each day, and need to be seen off. Although ‘nasty little boys’ are now considered an unlikely key reason for attacks, throwing stones or sticks at the birds by anyone will obviously aggravate them. Pedestrians are also targetted by some magpies.


HOW should you deal with a temporarily aggressive bird?

Take the situation seriously and protect yourself if you know there is an aggressive magpie around, especially in September – October. Serious injuries, including eye damage or loss, have occurred though these are extremely rare. Such attacks on wildlife are more common, such as on other birds as well as koalas who have been known to have their eyes pecked out.
If possible, avoiding the area is the most obvious thing to do during those couple of months. Other tips include wearing a wide-brimmed hat or carrying an open umbrella, attaching poles to the back of bikes or motorcycles. Creating fake eyes on the back of your helmet makes little or no difference. Magpies recognise faces – they don’t fall for that old trick!

Research has shown that putting up signs in parks and other public spaces is what most people consider adequate, and many local councils have dealt with the issue in this way. Translocation of the offending bird is only a last resort and is a very complex process.

Conclusion

I guess what we can learn from this research, and other similar work, is that there is never a single reason nor a single solution.
If animal behaviour interests you, I encourage you to read more about it. On this subject, I recommend this book by Dr Darryl Jones: Magpie Alert: Learning to Live with a Wild Neighbour. The book provides a comprehensive guide to everything that is known about this bird, why it attacks, and what we can do about it.

Magpies have been amongst the favourite birds in Birdlife Australia’s and other surveys. They’re a popular bird at the feeder, and it’s quite an honour when they bring their chicks to meet you. Not many other birds do that. Magpies are highly intelligent, curious, social birds who enjoy living with us. Respect them as you should respect all wildlife. If you have any interesting stories about magpies, Email me!

Further reading on magpies:


Useful links:

Have you see an endangered species in the wild? Would you like to keep native bees? How many birds come to your garden? Join us and learn about our local native species – whether it’s enjoying wildlife encounters in your own garden or helping save threatened species in the bigger backyard of Port Stephens. See our Living with Wildlife webpages.

Published: 6 Sep 2024