Why do birds swoop?
Swooping is a normal, temporary behaviour that occurs only during the breeding season.
For some breeds, such as magpies and masked lapwings (plovers), it is their natural instinct to defend the territory around their nest. This may lead parent birds to swoop at people, pets, or other animals. However, only a small number of birds perceive people as a threat, and most will not swoop. When it does occur, swooping generally lasts for six to eight weeks, beginning when the adult pair is nesting and ending once the young have left the nest.
Reduce your chances of being swooped
To help you stay safe during swooping bird season, follow these precautions:
- Avoid nest sites and use an alternative route where possible.
- Do not provoke or harass the birds, as this can increase their aggression.
- Walk calmly through the area—do not run.
- Protect your head with a wide-brimmed hat or carry an open umbrella. Adding eyes to the back of hats or umbrellas may also reduce the chance of being swooped.
- Wear glasses to protect your eyes.
- Keep the bird in sight, as they are less likely to swoop if you are watching them.
- Cyclists should dismount and walk through the bird’s territory. Consider fitting a bike flag, or attaching cable ties or eye markings to the back of your helmet.
Report a swooping bird
You can report a swooping bird on Council-owned land via our Request it. Report it. page.
Council may conduct a risk-based swooping bird assessment and depending on the outcome, Council may take mitigation measures such as installing signage or setting up barriers and detours.
As magpies and plovers are protected native wildlife, local councils have limited legal options when it comes to intervening. Here’s a clear overview of what a local Australian council can (and can't) legally do about swooping:
What Councils Can Do Legally
- Risk management on public land
- Install warning signage (e.g. “Caution: Swooping Magpie”)
- Erect barriers or detours to redirect pedestrian or cyclist traffic
- Close off high-risk areas temporarily
- Trim trees or vegetation to reduce the nesting appeal of certain areas (with care not to damage active nests)
- Educate the public
- Provide safety advice on how to avoid being swooped (e.g. walking bikes, wearing hats with eyes, umbrella, sun glasses, etc.)
- Distribute maps of known swooping zones
- Share best practices for individuals on private property
- Report and monitor
- Maintain a register of swooping incidents reported by the public
- Monitor high-risk locations during the breeding season
- Coordinate with wildlife authorities when needed
What Councils Cannot Do Without Permission
- Remove or relocate magpies
- It is illegal to remove or relocate a magpie without appropriate approval from the relevant state or territory wildlife authority (e.g., NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, DEW in SA, DELWP in Victoria)
- These agencies only allow removal if the magpie poses a serious and ongoing threat to public safety, and even then, it’s a last resort
- Harm or kill magpies
- Magpies are protected under state wildlife protection laws
- It is illegal to harm, capture, or kill them unless you have a special permit and are a licensed wildlife controller
Add a swooping magpie to MAGPIE ALERT!
Australia's social website to track aggressive swooping magpies in your area. If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping magpie attacks on-line here!