Where you are most likely to be attacked

The thing about being attacked by a magpie is that by the time you realize it’s happening, it will almost certainly be too late.

Besides wearing full protective gear, which is one way to avoid getting hit in the head by a beak, it is best to know where not to go to avoid being attacked in the spring.

Brisbane City Council data shows how hot spots across the city have risen sharply over the past five years.

The top spot for swooping this year is Coorparoo in Brisbane’s south, followed by Carseldine and Everton Park in the north.

Bald Hills, Milton, McDowell, Northgate, Sherwood, Brighton and Greenslopes round out the top 10 hotspots for birding in 2024.

Swoop tracking website Magpie Alert shows a number of magpie attacks on Rialto and Lee streets in Coorparoo, resulting in injuries to cyclists and pedestrians.

The website also highlights numerous reports of an aggressive magpie along the Gateway Bikeway in Bagno, near Nudgee Golf Club.

Brown Street in New Farm, Macquarie Street in Tenerife, Halsbury Street in Chelmer, Oatson Skyline Drive in Seven Hills and Bulimba Street in Bulimba are also key vaping spots.

Bird breeding begins in July, but September is the month when most birds protect the chicks in their nests by attacking unsuspecting walkers, riders and runners.

Last year, 165 of Brisbane’s 571 bird attacks occurred in September. But the diving season usually lasts until October and November, so the skies are not yet clear.

Not all diving birds are magpies. Other culprits include magpie larks, plovers (masked lapwings), gray butcherbirds and noisy miners.

Most incidents are likely to go unreported, although some people may make disproportionate reports.

It may seem like every magpie is a potential threat, but Dr Meg Edwards, a science lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland, says only about 10 per cent of the males fly in the spring.

“It’s usually just a defense mechanism. So they want to tell us to stay away from their nest and eggs,” she said. “They’re just trying to protect their children.

“They often do a warning raid first when they don’t necessarily make contact. And if we don’t listen to their advice on principle, then they may make one or two more raids.”

As for preventive measures to avoid attacks, Edwards said measures such as zippers on helmets and eyelets on the back of hats have had mixed results.

Running or calling at the magpie can make the situation worse, Edwards said.

“They don’t know what’s going on, they just see you as a threat,” she said.

“And if you’re screaming and yelling, they might think, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s going to come and steal my nest.’

“Getting away from them for a few weeks is always a good idea.”

Reports of burglaries in Brisbane peaked at 1,193 incidents in 2021, which Mr Edwards said could have been a result of more people walking in parks and cycling during the COVID lockdown.

“Perhaps the magpies had more opportunities for contact,” she said.

Edwards added that suburban hot spots tend to occur in areas with popular walking and biking trails and parks.

But council data shows the number of swooping birds in Brisbane fell to 726 in 2022, 571 in 2023 and just 280 in 2024.

The council mainly attributed this to the bright yellow warning signs. This year, more than 120 soaring bird signs were installed in 36 suburbs.

“We have received a high volume of calls in 2021 and have taken action by updating the warning signs with bright, attractive colors and designs,” said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

“Our signs are quickly deployed if we are alerted to dive incidents and they have proven incredibly effective, with fewer incidents being reported to the council since they were introduced.

“Native wildlife contributes to the incredible lifestyle we enjoy here in Brisbane and we have to coexist with these birds during the dive season while keeping the community safe.”

A five-month-old girl died in 2021 after her mother tragically fell when they were both attacked by a nesting magpie in Glindemann Park in Holland Park.

The magpie responsible for the attack was removed from the park. At the time, Schrinner said the council was aware of reports of this particular bird, but did not respond as to why it was not moved before the attack on the child and her mother.

The council said it has the power to use qualified wildlife experts to relocate problem birds “if the expert considers they pose a serious risk to the public.”

To report a diving bird, call Brisbane City Council on 3403 8888.

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