WITH the beginning of Spring also comes the start of breeding season for all types of animals, including magpies.
Sunshine Coast Council is urging residents to remain tolerant of the famous Aussie birds, as their perceived aggressive behaviour comes from a parental instinct to protect their young.
According to Sunshine Coast Council Senior Natural Areas Planning Officer Kate Hofmeister, only 10% of breeding males actually swoop at passer byers.
“Swooping only begins once the eggs are hatched and ends once the chicks have left the nest, which is about six to eight weeks,” she said.
Some key tips to avoid being targeted by these protective birds include:
- Moving quickly through the area without running
- Dismount and walk your bike
- Where possible, walk in groups – or avoid the area altogether.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses or use an umbrella
Ms Hofmeister also empathizes the importance of not acting aggressively towards them if they do try to swoop you off your feet.
“They have a very long memory, and this will just encourage further defensive behaviour in the future,” she warned.
Council has developed signage that can be installed to warn other pedestrians of the temporary defensive behaviour.
Magpies are unique Australian birds, being protected under the Nature Conservation Act and penalties for injuring magpies vary based on circumstances.
They have extraordinary memories, being known to identify individuals by their facial features and remembering faces in their neighbourhood.
They can remain in the same area for up to 20 years and look after their young for up to two years.
They are also amongst the handful of birds that walk along the ground instead of hopping and walk with their heads tilted to the ground to listen for their prey moving underground.
If there is a swooping bird in your neighbourhood contact council to request signage and inform them of the location and species of bird, as magpies are only one of several defensive birds.
Find out more about defensive birds on council’s website.