Swooping birds

During breeding season from July to November, some birds will protect their territory, nest, and young. Swooping is the most common way for birds to scare off intruders. Swooping season can last up to 6 weeks and stops once the chicks have fledged.

Birds may swoop for different reasons:

• Birds see cats, dogs and other magpies as intruders, it's not just people they swoop.
• Harassment by humans causes some birds to start swooping. Don’t chase birds or throw things at them.
• Picking up a fledgling bird could be seen by the parent bird as a threat to its young.
• Sometimes the colour of people's clothes, a noise they make or the speed they are travelling at causes a bird to swoop.
• Only a few birds see people as a threat, most won’t swoop you.

Protect yourself from swooping birds

If there's a swooping bird in your neighbourhood, there are a few things to do to protect yourself:

• Walk through the bird's territory quickly, don't run.
• Take a different route if there's a swooping bird.
• Protect your head with an umbrella, hat, or helmet.
• Wear glasses to protect your eyes.
• Watch the birds while walking away quickly from the area as magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them.
• Protect your pet and don’t leave them alone or off-lead in an area with a swooping bird.
• Don't let your pet attack birds.
• Attach a flag or streamers on a stick to your bike or backpack.
• Walk your bike through the bird's territory, don't ride.

Report a swooping bird or get advice