Australian Magpies: Why do they swoop?

The magpie is often seen as a mysterious bird, and many people feel that seeing one alone will bring bad luck.

Of course, it is just a superstition, but saluting them is said to be a way of avoiding the bad luck.

However, in Australia, people are being warned not to interact with the birds at all.

It's because some use defensive behaviours like swooping on passers-by, sometimes making physical contact with them.

In some parts of the country, pedestrians are being told to wear protective eye and head-gear, hold umbrellas (when it's not raining), and even wear sunglasses on the back of their heads to avoid being swooped on.

According to bird experts, a small number of male Australian magpies fiercely defend their nests in the spring and summer months (that's August to November).

They do this because they think humans are a threat to their eggs or chicks.

It's suspected this behaviour has come about as a result of some people being aggressive towards the birds, though others report being targeted by them for no obvious reason.

People have been advised to avoid areas where magpies are nesting, to get off their bikes when travelling through parks, and if possible, walk in groups so they are less likely to be attacked.

Magpies are thought to be very intelligent creatures, and have the ability to remember up to 100 people and their faces.

In 2022, a group of five magpies even outsmarted scientists by removing tracking devices in a matter of hours.

While lots of people find them a menace, animal behaviourists say the magpie is misunderstood, and there's no need for them to be harmed.