Damon Mcknight
Australia is known for its dangerous wildlife, and birds are no exception. There are around 4,500 magpie attacks in Australia each year, with some causing serious injury and even a few accidental deaths. Magpies are highly intelligent and can recognise human faces, targeting the same victims repeatedly. They are particularly aggressive during breeding season, swooping and attacking passersby who they perceive as a threat to their nests. Other dangerous birds in Australia include cassowaries, which have been known to kill humans with slashing blows of their feet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of yearly attacks | 4500 |
| Target | Young people, lone people, cyclists, runners, children |
| Weapons | Beak, claws |
| Attack style | Divebombing, swooping |
| Attacked body parts | Head, eyes |
| Aggressive period | Breeding season, Spring |
| Aggressive sex | Males |
| Memory | Can remember faces |
| Intelligence | Very intelligent |
| Species | Australian Magpies |
| Location | Australia, New Guinea |
| Diet | Omnivorous, invertebrates |
| Behaviour | Territorial |
| Solutions | Avoidance, wearing hats, carrying sticks, walking in groups, eye contact, befriending |
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What You'll Learn
Australian Magpies are the most common attackers
Australian Magpies are known to swoop and attack passersby, especially during breeding season, which typically runs from late August to late November or early December, and occasionally from late February to early May. They are highly territorial and will defend their nests and young chicks from perceived threats. While most magpies are not aggressive, a small minority, almost always males, become territorial and protective during the breeding season.
The birds' attacks are directed at the head and can cause serious injuries, typically wounds to the head. In some cases, magpie attacks have indirectly led to fatalities. For example, in 2021, a woman in Brisbane tripped and fell onto her infant while trying to avoid a swooping magpie, resulting in the infant's death. In another incident, a cyclist almost lost vision in one eye after a magpie attacked him.
People have devised various methods to protect themselves from swooping magpies, including wearing broad-brimmed hats, carrying a stick or umbrella, and walking in groups, as magpies are less likely to swoop groups of people. Some people also wear sunglasses on the back of their heads or paint eyes on their hats or helmets to confuse the birds. Cyclists can attach a long pole with a flag to their bikes or use cable ties on their helmets as a deterrent.
It is important to note that magpies are a protected native species in Australia, and it is illegal to kill or harm them. However, some states provide exceptions for magpies that attack humans, allowing for the removal of particularly aggressive birds.
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They can recognise and remember people's faces
Australian Magpies are known to attack and target the same victims repeatedly. They are extremely clever and can recognise and remember people's faces. They have been known to hold grudges for up to five years, and will attack people they associate with negative experiences, such as those who have swatted or yelled at them. Magpies are particularly hostile towards cyclists and children, which is likely due to their distrust of individuals who cover their faces.
During the breeding season, which runs from August to October, magpies become protective of their nests and young. They perceive passing humans or animals as potential threats and will swoop to defend their nests. While magpie attacks can be dangerous, with some individuals resorting to wearing helmets or carrying umbrellas for protection, others have found ways to befriend the birds and reduce the likelihood of attacks.
One strategy to deter magpie attacks is to avoid areas where they are known to nest and to be cautious when nesting magpies are nearby. Wearing broad-brimmed hats or sticking large eyes on the back of one's head can also help, as magpies are less likely to swoop when they feel they are being watched. Walking in groups is another effective tactic, as magpies rarely target groups of people.
It is important to refrain from acting aggressively towards magpies, as they may perceive it as a threat and remember it for years. Instead, individuals can try to build trust with the birds and establish unusual friendships. Some people have reported magpies entering their homes and showing playful behaviour, indicating that mutual trust and respect can lead to positive interactions with these intelligent birds.
In addition to magpies, Australia is also home to other bird species that have been known to attack humans, such as cassowaries. However, attacks by cassowaries on humans are relatively rare and often occur when the bird is soliciting food.
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Magpies are known to target the same victims repeatedly
Magpies in Australia are known to target the same victims repeatedly. These birds are extremely intelligent and have excellent memory. They can remember people's faces and will attack and target the same victims repeatedly. They are also capable of recognising and attacking particular people. Research has shown that magpies can recognise at least 100 different people.
Magpies are known to hold grudges and will target those they feel slighted by for up to five years. They are highly territorial and will attack those who they perceive as a threat to their young. This often includes runners and cyclists, as well as lone individuals and children. Magpies will also attack those who try to rescue a chick that has fallen from its nest, as they view this as predation.
To protect themselves from magpie attacks, Australians have come up with various strategies. Some people wear buckets or broad-rimmed hats, while others stick eyes on the back of their heads or helmets. Cyclists can also attach a long pole with a flag to their bike or use cable ties on their helmets. Another strategy is to befriend the magpies and hand-feed them, so they appear less of a threat to the nesting birds.
While magpie attacks can be intimidating and sometimes dangerous, it's important to remember that they are protected in Australia, and it is illegal to harm or kill them.
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The Cassowary is another dangerous bird in Australia
There are three species of Cassowary: the northern Cassowary, the southern Cassowary, and the dwarf Cassowary. The southern Cassowary is the most common and is known for its striking appearance, with bristly feathers, a vivid blue face, two red wattles, and a prominent helmet or casque. Cassowaries are curious birds and do attack from time to time, but attacks on humans are relatively rare. They are not overly aggressive, but they can cause significant damage if provoked or angered.
Cassowaries have powerful legs that enable them to run at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour and jump up to 7 feet in the air. Their legs are also used for delivering strong kicks, and their sharp claws can be up to 4 inches long, capable of slicing and puncturing any animal, including humans. In 2012, a tourist in Queensland, Australia, was kicked by a Cassowary and fell into a body of water, though they escaped unharmed.
Cassowaries are an important part of their ecosystem as they help spread plant diversity by dispersing seeds through their droppings. They are also adaptable, surviving in both urban and rainforest environments. Despite their dangerous reputation, Cassowaries are shy and wary of humans, and attacks are infrequent.
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Magpies are a protected native species in Australia
Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) are a protected native species in Australia, so it is illegal to kill or harm them. They are one of Australia's most highly regarded songbirds, with a wide variety of calls, many of which are complex. Their pitch can vary by up to four octaves, and they can mimic over 35 species of native and introduced bird species, as well as dogs, horses, and even human speech.
The Australian magpie is a black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea and was introduced to New Zealand and the Fijian island of Taveuni. It is not closely related to the Eurasian magpie, which is a corvid. The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm (14.5 to 17 in) in length, with black and white plumage, gold-brown eyes, and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of his head, while the female has white blending into grey feathers.
Australian magpies are found in areas with trees and large open spaces, such as parks or fields, and they avoid arid deserts and dense forests with large canopies. They are common and conspicuous birds, with groups of up to 24 birds living year-round in territories that are actively defended by all group members. During the breeding season, which is typically from August to November, some magpies become aggressive towards any intruders, including humans, that venture too close to their nest sites. It is important to remember that magpies are not actively trying to hurt people or pets; they are just trying to protect their young.
While magpies are a protected species, some states provide exceptions for a magpie that attacks a human, allowing a particularly aggressive bird to be killed. For example, section 54 of the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act permits this. More commonly, an aggressive bird will be caught and relocated to an unpopulated area. Magpies are quite intelligent and have been known to remember people's faces, targeting the same victims repeatedly. They can recognise at least 100 different people and may be less likely to swoop individuals they have befriended.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian Magpies are the most common attackers, with around 4500 yearly attacks.
Magpies are highly territorial and become aggressive during breeding season, from late August to late November or early December, and occasionally from late February to early May. They are known to swoop and attack passersby who they feel threaten their nests.
Magpies will swoop and dive bomb, targeting the head with their beaks and claws. They also have excellent memory and can recognise people's faces, attacking the same victims repeatedly.
Magpies are less likely to attack people they have befriended, so some sources recommend trying to befriend the birds. If that's not possible, it's best to avoid areas where they nest, wear a hat or sunglasses on the back of your head, and walk in groups.
