Look out! It's swooping season
Magpies and other birds are nesting – and that means some of them switch to protective mode.
Bird flu update
As concerns about the spread of H5 bird flu rise, experts are warning Australians to keep themselves and their pets well away from dead birds.
Associate Professor Lara Herrero, a specialist in infectious diseases and virology, said transmission to humans was rare, but people in the poultry industry and wildlife carers were vulnerable.
She said human transmission is possible through close contact with airborne droplets and the bodily fluids of infected birds.
Symptoms are similar to normal influenza, but more extreme with "higher fevers, sore throat (and) bigger headaches".
If you believe you have come in contact with bird flu, seek urgent medical attention.
Click here for the latest information from the Centre for Disease Control.
Spring in Australia brings warmer mornings, blooming gardens, and, for a few weeks, the unnerving rush of flapping wings overhead.
“Swooping season” usually runs from about August to November, when magpies and some other native birds defend their nests, eggs, and chicks.
The first thing to understand is that the behaviour is protective, not malicious. The birds are simply trying to move a perceived threat away from their young.
Magpies get most of the blame, but they are not the only swoopers. Noisy miners, pied butcherbirds, magpie-larks, kookaburras, red wattlebirds, swallows, and masked lapwings can also defend nesting areas.
The good news is that most magpies do not swoop, and the risk is usually limited to a small “defence zone” around the nest, often about 100 to 200 metres.
For older walkers, gardeners, and cyclists, the main danger may be not the bird itself but the fall, trip, or sudden swerve that follows a fright.
The best tactic is simple: avoid known nesting spots for a few weeks. Cross the road, choose another walking route, or check local warning signs and community reports before heading out.
If you must pass through a swooping zone, stay calm. Walk quickly but do not run, shout, wave your arms, or throw anything.
University of Queensland bird expert, Professor Bob Doneley, warns that waving a stick or trying to hit the bird may make matters worse by convincing it that you are a predator.
What you should do is protect your face and eyes. Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat, or carry an umbrella held above your head.
If a bird is swooping, keeping your eyes on it can help, as magpies are less likely to attack when watched. Walking with another person or in a group can also reduce the chance of being singled out.
Cyclists should be especially cautious because speed and movement can trigger defensive birds. If swooped, dismount, and walk the bike out of the area. Helmets are essential, but the popular trick of attaching cable ties to your helmet to look like spikes does not really work.
Finally, never feed swooping birds or approach fledglings on the ground. A young bird may be under parental watch, and getting too close can make adults more defensive.
A little caution, a hat, and a temporary detour can make spring safer for us – and for our wonderful native birds.
Related reading: UQ, NSW National Parks, Birdlife Australia, Queensland Government
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