Magpies warbling is one of the most familiar and endearing sounds of Australian wildlife, yet the whirring and whooshing sounds of a swooping magpie approaching fills most with dread.<\/p>\n
With spring now upon us, breeding season for native birds is underway, and so the swooping of unsuspecting humans and their pets begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cBird swooping is part of life in Australia, as we share our environment with native wildlife,\u201d said DELWP Grampians Regional Manager Compliance Operations, Nathan MacDonald.<\/p>\n
\u201cSwooping occurs every year during breeding season and is largely a defensive manoeuvre carried out by some male birds when we come within close range of eggs or fledgling birds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Although birds swoop to protect their young, it isn\u2019t pleasant for anyone caught in the crossfire, with swooping a possibility to cause injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe swooping is seasonal, healthy bird behaviour and so, if possible, the best response is to keep away from the area,\u201d said Mr MacDonald.<\/p>\n
It is also illegal to harm native birds and offences can result in fines or imprisonment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is up to us to co-exist peacefully with wildlife and respect it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area.<\/p>\n
Information about swooping birds can also be logged on DELWP\u2019s Swoop map.<\/p>\n
Hotspots include in or around suburban parks with tall eucalypt trees.<\/p>\n
To report a swooping incident by any species of bird on Victoria’s swooping bird map, visit delwp.vic.gov.au\/environment-and-wildlife\/wildlife\/swooping-birds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Magpies warbling is one of the most familiar and endearing sounds of Australian wildlife, yet the whirring and whooshing sounds of a swooping magpie approaching fills most with dread. With spring now upon us, breeding season for native birds is underway, and so the swooping of unsuspecting humans and their pets begins. \u201cBird swooping is […]<\/p>\n