Lol. These articles are often full of useless advice like this gem: “don't kill magpies”…I mean, come on. It's at this time of year that cyclists of all persuasions take on a slightly unhealthy pallour, and get a bit wild around the eyes at the prospect of solo rides: magpies are unabashed cowards and will rarely attack a large group. Australia Post postman John Kanard has found the best defence against swooping magpies is a muesli bar. I know they are the original birds because they almost feed out of my hand and follow me up the steps when I am heading for food. The magpie at home we just ended up feeding……now it comes over and gives you a worm if you’re sitting outside, it also seems to show off its babies to you, we call it frank. I guess it falls in the same category as the eyes on the back of the helmet. Wrong! Just make sure they have a bad regular season then they won’t show up in September… oh wait the animal not the footy team yeah i just send my cat after them, I am more scared of those Masked Lapwings in Tassie they are ferocious things that have swooped me on more than 10 occasions. He missed. For example, in a Brisbane study, the birds targeted either pedestrians only (about 50 per cent), posties only (10 per cent) or cyclists only (10 per cent) with remarkably few being less catholic in their preferences. We have spiders, snakes, stonefish, eagles twice the size of yours, crocodiles, sharks and even jellyfish that will kill you. Yep thats right. “what if you had a wig on over a helmet” … hahaha, not only would magpies avoid you, but so would everything else . siteads.queue.push( {"site":"lifehacker","pagetype":"article","ad_type":"article","sec":"life","amp":false,"ctype":"article","article":"how to survive magpie swooping season","article-tags":["annoyances","au","clips","feature","magpies suck","safety","science"],"native":["null"],"aggregate":["annoyances","au","clips","feature","magpies suck","safety","science"],"pageID":["null"],"sub-sec":"travel","cat":"life","cat1":"travel","item":{"objectid":533358,"title":"How to Survive Magpie Swooping Season","text":"September is the peak of Australia's own version of \"home-grown terrorism\" (as memorably described to me by a distraught and bleeding school principal, valiantly attempting to protect his pupils), when a small but conspicuous proportion of magpies through","url":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2020\/09\/how-to-survive-magpie-swooping-season\/","img":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/08\/Magpie.jpg","category":"Travel","published_at":1599473109,"updated_at":1599496397,"kind":"article"},"ad_location":"mrec-content-mobile","targeting":{"pos":"2"},"provider":"google-dfp","element_id":"ad-slot_mrec-content-mobile_section-index-1_pos-2"} ); Just curious. If you think that these bloody birds are picking on you specifically, you are probably right! ‘Beak rot’ can also be a complication to magpies that are fed mushy meat. paint eyes on the back of your bike helmet, hold up a branch etc.) Swooping Magpies; Magpie Mp3’s; Newsletter; Resources; Contact; 3 Aug 2018. Ican avoid some sites, and for a few weeks take a break from riding the bike, but as cycling is my sport, I need to train and ride regularly and it is not unreasonable to expect to be able to for most of the year without my safety being put at risk by these pests because it seems no one in authority is willing to address the problem. This may sound stupid but it works, cover your helmet with a wig or faux fur (sometimes fabric works too). "There's a little section in Campbell where I can without exaggeration be surrounded by 30 birds," he said. I am over in Gladstone from Singapore on business and brought my bike over, didn’t have any warning about these flying Angels of death. Some swoop sites are less than 400m apart. It seems cruel, but if they’re actually injuring people…. If I were you guys, I would just post this every two months or so… Because that doesn’t smack at all of Today/Tonight’s “journalistic” practices…. Why you shouldn't feed magpies. Swooping magpies. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895402801/swoop-away-helmet-brim-for-swooping-birds-and-sun, Open your eyes you pinheads dont get the magpies and other birds ticked off at you for being careless. Here’s how you can avoid being swooped when going for your regular morning jog. No longer should you feel imperilled by the constant threat of a savage attack. I’ve been attacked as a runner and bled a little but as a cyclists we have speed, sunnies for eye protection and helmets. & activity helmets. There is a lot to love about these distinctive Australian birds. if (typeof siteads.queue !== 'undefined') { siteads.queue.push( {"site":"lifehacker","pagetype":"article","ad_type":"article","sec":"life","amp":false,"ctype":"article","article":"how to survive magpie swooping season","article-tags":["annoyances","au","clips","feature","magpies suck","safety","science"],"native":["null"],"aggregate":["annoyances","au","clips","feature","magpies suck","safety","science"],"pageID":["null"],"sub-sec":"travel","cat":"life","cat1":"travel","item":{"objectid":533358,"title":"How to Survive Magpie Swooping Season","text":"September is the peak of Australia's own version of \"home-grown terrorism\" (as memorably described to me by a distraught and bleeding school principal, valiantly attempting to protect his pupils), when a small but conspicuous proportion of magpies through","url":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2020\/09\/how-to-survive-magpie-swooping-season\/","img":"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/08\/Magpie.jpg","category":"Travel","published_at":1599473109,"updated_at":1599496397,"kind":"article"},"ad_location":"mrec-content-mobile","targeting":{"pos":"1"},"provider":"google-dfp","element_id":"ad-slot_mrec-content-mobile_section-index-1_pos-1"} ); about 4 months ago the babies (now young adults) and one adult relocated. Which “close relatives” are these, I wonder? Highly adaptive and socially intelligent. Magpies are not endangered species, but are protected. Key amongst them is this shocking revelation: zip ties are key tactic in your “how to stop magpies swooping” strategy. That way cyclists and other members of the public can avoid troublesome birds! Mr Kanard said people stop and take photos of him feeding the magpies. I suggest if you have magpies in your street that are swooping – take some raw mince and stop and feed it. Every year, many thousands of people are swooped, some are slightly injured and a few seriously (especially cyclists) — and a very small number may lose an eye. This only happens during the nesting season, which lasts a few weeks. We’ve found over the years that the only way to stop them is to knock their nest out of the tree as soon as they start building it. “Swooping can occur any time of the year, however it is increased in spring when the birds are protecting their nests. Magpies recognise faces, attack same people every day: research Doctor Daryll Jones said cyclists needed to make themselves look "completely ridiculous" to avoid swooping magpies. I have a feeling in 6wks I’ll be feeding more new baby magpies when they drop by. Once baby magpies have begun to fly, swooping stops. And if the ignominy of wearing Zip Ties is too much to bear, simply have a riding-alone zip tie helmet, and a riding-with-others helmet you can wear when you ride to the coffee shop on your 80mm carbon tubulars in your magnificent Rapha kit. }. Maggies need their sport too – be sympathetic, their namesake footy team is not traveling too well. REALLY? Check out our new Kickstarter project, new helmet brim to help during the next magpie season If you enjoy backyard visits from rosellas, rainbow lorikeets and parrots, it’s not a good idea to encourage the local magpies. The app has only just come on-line so the number of locations will not be great, but to see what the app is capable of, have a look at the map of Bendigo, VIC – lots of swooping hotspots pin-pointed. Magpies! Until tommorrow that is. Australian magpies are notorious for a habit that can cause injury and distress to humans - swooping. catholic used as an adjective with a lower case c. catholic [ˈkæθəlɪk ˈkæθlɪk] How to Avoid Magpie Swooping Season – The Misunderstood Australian Magpie . … Or possibly, @brodiek was being, you know … ironic? Chris I like the cut of your jib, I will get onto this. It’s magpie swooping season in Australia and that means it’s time to learn to dodge and roll. Here is a photo of my zip tie installation. They don’t like them being on peoples heads, cause they cant see the top of your head… its not the eyes its your whole head. I gave you an up vote but I just want you to know that is soo wrong…….yet if I had a shotgun…….. i gave you a down vote as I just want you to know that is soo wrong……. Likewise, the sharp-looking helmet protrudences are a hopeful deterrent to the oncoming bird, suggesting an uncomfortable outcome should contact be made. As lots of readers say, I give way too much information away for nothing, and it really does take a lot of time and effort (but I do love doing it!). I suspect Darryl’s referring to Northern hemisphere magpies, which aren’t at all closely related…. Founded by Tim Marsh, VeloNomad contains all the cycling holiday tips and tricks you’ll need, backed by thousands of hours of planning and execution experience. If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk. I could sit on the ground and be surrounded by adult and baby magpies within a week. However, not all birds swoop to protect their eggs and young during breeding season, so don't be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area. I just usually ignore them,and just speed up a bit while not looking for the bird,usually attack from behind out of the sun. I moved into a rental prop house October last year and there was a tree full of about 4 baby magpies and 3 adults If you found the site useful, and you didn’t need a SIM card or ebook, I’d really appreciate it if you dropped something in the Paypal tip jar below. My local paper was using an image of a Butcher Bird and was calling it a Magpie. If a magpie swoops you turn and face it. Some swoop for many months of the year. Tim is an ex Melbournite now living near Byron Bay on 10 acres, happily growing mangos, avocados and lots of other stuff, with his wife, 2 sons and adorable Golden Retriever, Whiskey (RIP our 1YO G/R Poppins :( ). I am thinking to open my umbrella as soon as i get off the tram…. Last year I nearly hit a car as I was swerving into the road…. There are a few simple steps people should take to avoid swooping magpies: 1. The meat may becom… 1. Magpies will usually only swoop about 100m from the tree they're nesting in. One of my Ozy mates in Singapore sent me the link. they just sat on the fence and watched people walking by. A CSIRO carpark had a magpie swopping bikers in their carpark… so they they played scientist I get swooped no matter what. The only thing I have ever done to a magpie was back-handing one as it came in for an attack. There is a pair that have raised chicks here for 6 years and because we feed them occasionally (they like mince) they have never attached anyone walking down the street. if (typeof siteads.queue !== 'undefined') { I've been conducting some Very Scientific Research2 for some time into this critical area and have some astounding findings to share with you all. }. But here are a few tricks to get you through swooping season unscathed - and a few classic tactics that don't work. Don’t let them target you. For most of us out on the roads miles from home, this isn’t an option. September is the peak of Australia’s own version of “home-grown terrorism” (as memorably described to me by a distraught and bleeding school principal, valiantly attempting to protect his pupils), when a small but conspicuous proportion of magpies throughout the country begin to attack otherwise innocent passersby. I’ve only every been swooped once, luckily I had a helmet on. Feeding magpies bread can cause stomach problems, raw meat and sausage lacks the calcium … There are so many theories on how to prevent it from happening (e.g. One of the numerous unexpected findings of research I’ve been a part of was the extent to which those magpies that are aggressive specialise on particular groups of people. In the evening, the shadows were long and I could see its shadow approaching my head. The pattern I have installed these in is proven* to repel 99% of magpies. Further north Tim – Banora Point and cycle mostly Tweed Valley/ Numinbah/Springbrook. Don’t you see what’s happened?! My grandfather – one of only a handful of Aussie Spitfire pilots – tells me that to hone his craft he would often engage in a multi-move dogfight with Tallangatta magpies. During mating season they would actually ring their young with them as well. At my fathers house, we had a massive magpie family at the property ( only 9 acres) and they never attacked us or any visitors because we would leave some mince meat out for them. a very busy street Report back if you survive, otherwise I’ll see you in the funny pages. No need to shoot yourself – it will all be over by the end of Spring. 8 months of the year. Raw meat – can expose them to parasitic disease Toxoplasma gondii, which is potentially fatal. Also, magpies usually go back to the same spot every year, so if there was a swooping danger zone … so I fed the adult birds raw mince every morning and afternoon. I’d try and wait for him to be distracted by someone else but wasn’t always the case. Maggies like some mince with a bit of added calcium. You could also try a biohazard suit, a full head gas helmet, or an astronaut helmet would also work well. Had one near the front of my uni and i just had to keep looking at him for a good 200 meters. If they think they’re defending their nests, then making a point of seeking out and destroying the nest any time you’re attacked would probably change the local birds’ behavior. It’s clearly because you’re a goose, ya goose! Thanks for the excellent suggestion. I will be back again in November for APLNG so my wee feathered friends won’t have to miss me for too long! in my neighbourhood. I agree. It's also the time of year you will see articles by so called experts offering advice on effective AMDS's and strategies for avoiding catastrophic engagements with these killer birds. My strategy has been to, as soon as one swoops me, to stare straight at him (usually accompanied by a few choice words) and don’t look away for a moment. 2. comprehensive in interests, tastes, etc. If i did that, he just left me alone. This will only encourage the pest to breed beyond its natural capacity and create a greater risk to the cyclists they will swoop who don’t feed them. Dived straight at me front on, heard that “click” then it collected the top of the window frame, tumbled, hit the back of the roof as the targa top was removed, tumbled, then hit the wing. It feels like a mcdonalds drive through sometimes. Our street is swooping-free. You are basically paying them protection money. attempts to change the magpies’ behaviour. NOT SO FUNNY NOW, FELLAS.). Helmets with cable ties, or a flag on your bike, can also help deter magpies. Food sources commonly offered to magpies include bread, mincemeat, bird seed and pet food, all of which can lead to nutritional imbalances and life threatening complications. We have a couple of families, one of 5, and they appreciate the constant stream of food providing by our bird sanctuary. I think best way to stop getting swooped is to avoid the birds if possible, and with that in mind, I had an app developed. I had no choice but to walk through an area with a cranky magpie and he always seemed to target me. Finally, an unconventional — and controversial — approach should be mentioned, simply because, in the right circumstances, it really does work. I don’t feed them daily as only when I happen to be home. Learn about cycling nutrition, cycling training, Etape du Tour, other gran fondos and all the cycling product reviews. (I will say that that article had one thing right: a family of magpies on your property is very unlikely to swoop. . Lots of kids walk by my fence now and are not afraid of the magpies. http://alternateroute.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The_Magpie_Swat.mp3. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yeah down on the GLNG project, only for start up and should be back in Singapore next week. But turned faster than a spitfire and got me from the rear,and then lost interest. The old eyes-facing-backwards scheme is actually based on a sound behavioural concept: most magpies do attack from behind and are unlikely to do so if they think that they are being watched. This article was originally published at The Conversation, and has been revised and updated since its original publication date. In some gardens bigger birds like pigeons, magpies, jackdaws and crows can quickly eat all your bird food, before the smaller birds have had a proper chance to feed. An inventor has engineered a series of helmet attachments to test the best ways to stop magpies from swooping. From a road cycling perspective just take the hits and cycle on. While alarming, it is usually just a warning, an attempt defend its family. Waving sticks, using eyes on the back of helmets, spikes, or staring at Magpies when they swoop etc etc etc does not work to prevent or deter ongoing attack. The bane of my childhood! I live in Bendigo :(. I’m inclined to agree but that one top of Wardell Rd or downhill on Tregeagle Rd toward Robsons Rd is too dangerous. Tomorrow I am likely to add more hotspots on our bike ride. Learn more about VeloNomad here. I’ve heard they are really good at remembering and recognising faces. It’s commonplace for some of us to recall the blur of wings and the click of that beak with a strange level of nostalgia, but it is sobering to appreciate that some of these attacks cause real damage and trauma. EVERYTHING you could conceivably need to know about cycling in France. They see us as potential snack providers not predators. Only ever had one who came from the front, sort of head on who going to go chicken. 3. When we fetched escapees, they seemed to enjoy the ride. Next Post: Swiftwick Socks review: the best cycling socks in the galaxy. I got put in hospital by a magpie one year, The bloody thing cut my head open so I needed stitches….I was not the only one that magpie had sent to the hospital that day, I don’t know what got into him but the council had to move him away (or shoot him) because he was one angry bird. when a magpie swoops someone. I registered an attack there last year, just hope the bird has moved on this year! One of them pokes his head into the kitchen to wait for his food. Dr Monks says raw meat and mince can lead to calcium deficiencies in young magpies. I can’t find the video now (at work) but there is a group who tested this and they ended up with either taking off the helmet or a novelty afro wig from a $2 shop stopped a magpie from swooping. Some one has to first get seriously injured or killed before appropriate action is taken by the authorities it seems……….. You’re riding your bike, which means you have a helmet on, which means even if they peck you it won’t do anything. I have a feeling in 6wks I’ll be feeding more new baby magpies when they drop by. Aggressive Magpies near main intersections or on any road corridor are a hazard-as one has to take their eyes off the road to avoid being struck (ie neck injury) or clawed- when one also has to watch out for traffic, potholes, and the occasional snake in the warmer months. 1. When Im digging things up theyre following closely behind pecking through the dirt. ), As well as ignoring the experts, you can ignore the jeers and shocking sledges from your idiot friends who think it is cooler to be attacked by magpies than wear a few zip ties for a few months (by the way, they're also usually busy riding coffee shop kms whilst you're out busting out the km's which will be handy when you flay them in the local club races. “with remarkably few being less catholic in their preferences.” – Crazy Christian loving bird or nobody wants to associate themselves as a christian any more?…. 2. You call them a menace, I call them MOTIVATION!. Small group of kindergartners on a field trip should placate them. Usually will get two strikes and then you are out of range. But yes this is correct, when spelled with a lowercase ‘c’ the word “catholic” is an adjective and means “universal”. Initial fright = handlebar dip into path of oncoming bus (on wrong side of road as usual). I’m thinking a schematic diagram of a helmet with notional placement would be ideal. It is a terrifying and dangerous experience especially when I’m riding. Magpie Alert by Daryl Jones. Typically, we found that such birds were almost always associated with locations with a lot of people: schoolyards, car parks, or busy park lands. Now you can get the top stories from Lifehacker delivered to your inbox. the traditional eyes on the back of the hat (or ice cream container). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4, http://alternateroute.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The_Magpie_Swat.mp3, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895402801/swoop-away-helmet-brim-for-swooping-birds-and-sun, territoriality — they are trying to keep us out of their patch, testosterone poisoning — they are so pumped with male juice they can’t help themselves. While these avian assessments seems to be false (most victims are unlikely to have eaten a baby magpie! Can you please provide more detail on the type of zip tie, and optimal length? Otherwise, any method that may negate contact with the head is worth trying: sticks, hats, helmets and umbrellas. If you stop in place, it could give the bird a chance to … Not all Magpies swoop in breeding season. Where it is possible for an aggressive magpie to know people as individuals, providing small food snacks (cat food) in an obvious way such that the bird can associate the treats with the person often lead to complete cessation of hostilities. Timbo, where in the Northern Rivers? Roads and footpaths are for human use. Clearly zip ties are effective. You will see them in videos going straight for the helmet. It’s called SWOOPERS (obviously) and it’s an interactive app that allows people to upload information as to swooping hotspots, or if not uploading hotspots, it’s a map that pinpoints swooping locations. I’ve been harassed by a Maggie for the last two years on the way to work around spring time. the adults were swooping down on the pedestrians and animals walking up and down the street How to avoid swooping magpies. Wear sun glasses and with a hat to protect your head and eyes. Or take the advice in this song I wrote after being swooped by a Magpie. I’m beginning to panic already. "People feed magpies and kookaburras bacon, sausages, mince, cheese. swoop. Magpies can sing, listen here: You'll see the annual rollout of all manner of often hilarious Anti Magpie Deflector Shields (AMDSs) designed to (hopefully….#NOTTTT) ward off vicious and incessant attacks by these highly skilled aerial warriors. try a wig, or cover it with a dull fabric or wig/faux fur/felt. Im not sure who comes up with all this nonsense abut how they remember faces-its a load of rubbish. 3D printing inventor tests out a series of helmet attachments to find out what REALLY stops magpies swooping you – with some surprising results.