Incredible video shows dangers of magpie season

An incredible video has proved just how dangerous magpie season can be, with a fearsome bird stalking and repeatedly swooping a cyclist.

The footage, uploaded to the Sunshine Coast Community Board Facebook group, shows a magpie swooping a cyclist from behind, diving beak-first into the man’s head.

Magpie attacks are set to increase this spring, as male magpies swoop, peck and dive-bomb people to protect their chicks and eggs in nesting season.

The vicious attacks can cause “bloodied ears and cheeks or even eye injury”, according to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

The department has released a list of bizarre safety tips to keep people out of danger this magpie season, including gluing googly eyes on the back of your hat.

“Don’t fight back if a magpie swoops,” the department said.

“Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive next time anyone enters the defence zone around their nest.

“Never approach a young magpie. Fledglings that have just left the nest or have fallen out are likely to be under the watchful eye of a parent.”

The number one tip is to keep a safe distance from magpie nests – 100 metres for pedestrians and 150 metres for cyclists.

However, if you must walk through a magpie defence zone, it’s best to stick together.

“If you must enter a ‘defence zone’, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group,” the department said.

“If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk.”

There are other creative options for the safety conscious pedestrian.

“Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies,” the department said.

“Painting or sticking large ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat can also deter magpie – but this won’t work for cyclists.”

“Another option is wearing your sunnies on the back of your head,” NSW National Parks said.

If all else fails, use your arms to deter the watchful birds.

“Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping,” the department said.

Magpie swooping season started in August this year, earlier than expected.

According to Professor Darryl Jones, a behavioural ecologist at Griffith University, warmer weather caused magpies to breed, and swoop, earlier in the year.

“It’s definitely to do with the warm weather, it hasn’t been so harsh and they’ll start breeding as soon as they can after the cold weather,” he said.