Whilst not all magpies swoop, when they do it can be a very scary experience. Please remember that magpies are protected by law and it is illegal to harass or harm them. However, there are some things you can do to help avoid swooping attacks.
Top 5 tips
1. Wear sun glasses and with a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and eyes
2. Travel in groups where possible as magpies often target individuals
3. Stay calm – if you panic and flap your arms then this is more likely to appear as aggressive behaviour and provoke a further attack
4. If you encounter a swooping magpie, consider planning an alternative route until the breeding season is over
5. If you get swooped then tell others, and log the incident on with Magpie Alert or Victoria’s swooping bird map
