Australian magpies are known for their habit of attacking and injuring humans. These birds adopt this attitude in the nesting season, to protect their territory when they feel threatened, and can injure the skin and eyes and even remove pieces of meat with beak and claws. Unfortunately, as reported by the Flinders University Research Center for Injury Studies, some people have even died as a result of an attack by these magpies, for example after losing control of a bicycle after a blow to the head. Such a terrible outcome is naturally very rare, but even a less lethal attack is an unpleasant experience and it is important to take precautions against these eventualities, adopting the right attitudes firsthand and not trying to influence those of the animal.
Steps
Step 1. Be vigilant
Pay attention to the places where magpies have nested. If you notice magpies building a nest in an area where you walk or cycle, it's time to plan a new route for the nesting season. Magpies are found in urban, country and rural environments, so don't underestimate the problem if you live in an urban center - there may still be rubber trees that attract magpies in search of a nest.
Step 2. Inform others
Communicate the nest area to the municipality. In this way, alerts can be issued to alert all people in the area. In the meantime, create temporary signs yourself to warn passers-by.
Step 3. Never bother magpies
A magpie who has been harassed will no longer trust the man. Do not throw rocks or other bullets in the direction of a nest, do not climb a tree to try to remove magpie chicks from the nest, and do not provoke magpies in any way, for example by waving clothes in the air near them or similar sudden actions and threatening. Remember that magpies aggressively protect their family and will react if they feel their chicks are threatened.
Step 4. Take evasive actions
If you find yourself walking or cycling in aggressive magpie territory and it's simply too late to leave, follow these evasive measures to protect yourself:
- Keep calm. This is the most important thing - don't scream, flap your arms and run away screaming. These panic reactions are the worst thing you can do. Unfortunately, this is something children do a lot, so train them early to stay calm.
- Walk quickly but don't run. Be careful, look for magpies nearby, and if you are really worried, put your arms over your head to protect your face and eyes.
- Try to keep an eye on the magpie. Magpies usually attack from behind and it is known that magpies attack much more rarely those who observe them directly. This means that the animal must be able to see your eyes staring at it. As you walk away, try to maintain eye contact. You can also try walking backwards, but only do so if there are no obstacles in the way, or you risk falling and injuring yourself.
- If you are on a bicycle or horse, get off. Bicycles irritate magpies a lot and this also applies to postmen who deliver mail. The main cause of accidents following a magpie attack is falling from a bicycle. Your helmet will protect you and you will avoid falling due to the animal's attack. Advance the bicycle by hand and step away from the magpie.
Step 5. Do not return to the site of an attack
Australian magpies have an incredible memory (like all members of the Corvid family, they are highly intelligent) and will attack weaves people again. This means that they will attack you even if you look like someone they have already attacked in the past.
Step 6. Improvise a solution
If you have no choice and need to continue to frequent the magpie area (for example because you are a farmer who has to cultivate a field), you can use some techniques to protect yourself. Here are some suggestions:
- Wear eyes behind your head. It's not a joke! For the reasons explained above, having eyes behind your head reduces the likelihood of an attack. To achieve this, add some googly eyes to what you wear on your head, to make the magpie believe that you are watching her at all times. Googly eyes for puppets are ideal - glue them to the hat and remove them when you don't need them. Another solution is to wear your sunglasses backwards.
- If you are riding a bicycle, you can glue shiny zips to your helmet. By not cutting off the excess length you can create a distracting shimmer that many say works better than googly eyes, and can be used in conjunction with them.
- Turn an ice cream container into a hat. Attach rubber bands to the sides to create laces to tie under the chin and wear it on your head. If the magpie attacks you, it will hit the plastic and do less damage (maybe none).
- Wear a sturdy hat.
- Use an umbrella or a cane. If you have an umbrella, open it and walk with it. As an added benefit you will also shelter from the sun! If you have a cane, simply hold it straight up to make it appear larger. If the magpie attacks you, it will likely try to hit the highest point - your cane or umbrella. However, you should never wave objects at a magpie or it may feel provoked and attack you. A branch with leaves can be a good solution, as the movement of the leaves in the wind can discourage the animal.
Step 7. Attach a steel bolt to the end of a string
Move it over your head. You will look like a helicopter, but the magpie won't want to attack you anymore!
Be unpredictable. Magpies can remember the time you pass if it is always the same. Don't follow a routine. This way, the magpie will not be ready for your arrival
Step 8. Be aware that very aggressive magpies can attack from the ground, aiming at the face and eyes
These birds are dangerous and you should notify the proper authorities right away. If you meet a bird in this situation, just worry about covering and protecting the eyes and run away.
Step 9. Have heart
These birds are highly intelligent and family-related. Their singing gives hope and they are a very elegant animal. Sure, attacks can be a problem for 4 or 6 weeks each year, but it's a small price to pay to support this beautiful part of the Australian ecosystem. Coexistence with magpies is simple once you understand how to prepare. Only a small fraction of magpies see humans as a threat and attack them, and even in these cases, they only do so in a very limited area.
Step 10. Create an online magpie database for your area
Cyclists, horseback riders, runners and pedestrians could all benefit from such a service. You could also turn it into a wiki. Write down times, places and testimonies of the incidents to invite everyone to be cautious.
Advice
- Do you want to hear the song of this glorious bird? Australians love that sound because it is an integral part of their day; click here to hear it (government source).
- The nesting season varies according to the area of Australia you are in. The season can be from July to November, but the worst times are between August and November and usually during the last 4-6 weeks when the chicks are in the nest. For the rest of the year, humans and magpies happily coexist.
- Magpies are found in New South Wales, Victoria, eastern South Australia, southwestern Western Australia, Tasmania and the Queensland coast.
- Australian magpies live in family groups. These groups can consist of 3 to 20 birds. Removing the aggressive male from the area will usually lead to the arrival of another male, who will take over his role and defend the chicks even if they are not his descendants! You should love a bird that cares so much for family.
- Only male magpies attack and it is interesting to note that they attack men more often than women.
- Teaching children to understand and respect magpies will go a long way in keeping them calm after an attack. A good place to start is the Australian Museum; you will find the link below.
Warnings
- Don't rush - if you did you would make the bird even more aggressive; always walk calmly and quickly.
- If a magpie causes many injuries in a neighborhood, contact the city, police, or National Park Service for the region where you are.
- It is illegal to kill a magpie in Australia, as they are a protected native species.
