Spring is in the air, and for Australians, this means magpie swooping season is upon us, with experts advising people to be aware, stay calm and even try to gain the trust of their wild neighbours. These iconic black and white birds, native to Australia, are generally charming songbirds, but during breeding season, become fierce defenders of their nests, swooping down on any perceived threat — including unsuspecting passersby. "Their biology goes a bit nuts.
Those of us that have had kids that realise that you do change quite dramatically in your worldview when that life event happens," Professor Dieter Hochuli, an ecologist at the University of Sydney, told SBS News. But while birds the world over swoop to protect their offspring, our reaction to the behaviour here is uniquely Australian. Magpie swooping season is here.
Why they attack humans and how to avoid them We may be fond of our feathery friends most of the year, but during these weeks, we eye them with suspicion and arm ourselves with frightful headgear to try to scare them off. For those new to Australia, this behaviour can seem odd, experts say. "I think Australian fauna are often a little bit perplexing when you first get here," Hochuli said.
"The magpies are a really distinct part of the Australian bird community. They're one of our much-loved birds. "They're also an animal we associate with urban environments.
We share our world with them so much. So in breeding season, you see cyclists with the pointy cable t.
