They remember your face. They don’t like your dog. And they’re watching. But don’t panic – we’ve got tips to keep you safe this magpie swooping season.
As spring creeps in, so does the seasonal stress: swooping magpies are back.
Whether you’re a cyclist, dog walker, or just someone trying to enjoy the sunshine without being dive-bombed, here’s what you need to know.
It’s not personal (unless they remember your face)
Let’s start with why they’re swooping in the first place. Magpies aren’t out for blood – they’re just overprotective dads.
During nesting season (August to October), some male magpies go full gladiator mode to protect their chicks.
Most female magpies don’t swoop at all — they’re too busy incubating the eggs and looking after the nest.
And here’s the twist: only around 10% of breeding males swoop, with even fewer actually making contact.
Still, if you’ve been swooped before, you’re more likely to be swooped again.
Magpies have insanely good facial recognition and can remember people for up to 20 years.
Some even seem to pass warnings on to their offspring – a kind of feathered family vendetta.
They also have “preferences” – some target only cyclists, some go for pedestrians, and some… well, they’re equal opportunity offenders.
They’re also known to swoop at dogs – especially if your dog is off-lead or showing a little too much interest in their nesting tree. It’s because some magpies see dogs as natural predators, even if your pup couldn’t care less.
Magpie swooping myths – busted
Let’s bust a few myths that fly around during magpie swooping season.
All magpies swoop
Nope. Most are chill. Only a small group of fiercely defensive dads get into swooping mode.
They’re aggressive jerks
Not true. They’re actually devoted, intelligent birds doing what any parent would – defending their young.
They hate the colour yellow/purple/fluoro green
There’s zero evidence for this. Swooping is about behaviour and territory, not your fashion choices.
Cable ties and fake eyes always work
Sometimes they help. Sometimes they make you look like a walking craft project and the magpie doesn’t care.
Zip ties, streamers and staring contests: What actually works?
Here’s what science (and savvy South Aussies) say might help:
Best bets:
- Avoid the area – seriously, just walk the long way round for a few weeks.
- Walk in groups – magpies tend to go after lone targets.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunnies – for protection and intimidation.
- Use an umbrella – held up, not swung.
- Get off your bike and walk it past known swooping zones.
- Stay calm – don’t shout, run or flail. You’ll just prove them right.
Mixed results:
- Fake eyes on the back of your hat/helmet – might work, might not.
- Zip ties, pipe cleaners, streamers, party hats – weird? Yes. Effective? Sometimes. At the very least, you’ll warn others to steer clear.
- Talking to them – yes, really! Some people say regularly greeting local magpies keeps them on side.
Don’t do this:
- Don’t feed them to “make friends” – it can cause dependency or disease.
- Don’t attack, yell at, or throw things – it can make them more aggressive (and it’s illegal).
- Don’t pick up a chick on the ground – it’s probably a fledgling learning to fly.
They’re songbirds, not villains
Magpies aren’t mindless swooping machines. They’re incredibly intelligent songbirds that can:
- Mimic 35+ sounds – from other birds to dogs and car alarms
- Recognise and remember 100+ human faces
- Communicate with other magpies about who’s friendly (or not)
- Solve problems and even introduce their young to trusted humans
And while they can hold a grudge, they can also form bonds – some people report magpies singing on their balconies or visiting every day.
What if a magpie swoop goes too far?
While most swoops are just warnings, injuries can occasionally happen – usually from startled reactions like falling off a bike.
Severe injuries are rare, and fatalities are extremely rare, often involving indirect causes like collisions or falls during an attempted escape.
Magpies are a protected species in South Australia. Removal is only considered when a bird poses a genuine risk to public safety.
If a swooping magpie on your route is getting a bit too bold, you can report it to your local council – they can install signs or manage the area to reduce risks.
You can also check sites like magpiealert.com to see if others have flagged that location.
And if possible, take a detour until the season passes. It’s only temporary.
It’s not just the magpies
Magpies might have the worst PR, but they’re not the only birds taking issue with your springtime stroll.
Other birds known to swoop in South Australia include:
- Magpie-larks (aka mudlarks): Often fly up from the ground and may attack their own reflections in car mirrors or windows.
- Masked lapwings (aka plovers): Loud, dramatic and not afraid to use their wing spurs (sharp spikes at the ‘elbow’ or carpal joint of their wings) if you get too close. They sometimes fake injuries to lure you away from their nests.
- Noisy miners and wattlebirds: Will swoop year-round to defend territory, not just during nesting season.
- Silver gulls, pelicans, ravens and kookaburras: Not so much territorial as they are opportunistic – these guys swoop to scavenge food, especially at picnics, beaches, and outdoor cafés.
Magpies get the most airtime because their swoops feel personal – but the truth is, most swooping birds are just trying to protect their home or grab your chips.
And the same advice applies for all of them: steer clear of nesting sites, stay calm, protect your head, and never feed wildlife.
A bit of distance and respect goes a long way – no matter the species.
From swooping to singing: learning to live with magpies
Magpies are part of the soundtrack of South Australian mornings.
Outside of swooping season, they’re curious, social, and great for gardens (they eat insects and snails!).
In fact, they’re so iconic here in SA that the Piping Shrike – a stylised white-backed magpie – is our official state emblem. So yes, the bird that dive-bombed you last spring? It’s also on your driver’s licence.
If we treat them with a bit of respect, they might just treat us the same way. Or at least let us walk to the bus stop in peace.
Until then – wear a wide-brimmed hat, choose your walking routes wisely, and remember: it’s not forever, just in nesting season.
For more information on South Australia’s magpie swooping season, head here.
