Introduction
Australian birds are an intrinsic and colourful part of our lives. They can occupy a range of environments in our cities, suburbs and towns, including our backyard and gardens, local parks, school yards, sporting fields, farms, golf courses, beaches and in street trees along busy roads. These places can provide native birds with places to sleep and shelter, along with an abundance and diversity of food.
The balance of many species has altered as a result of urban development and diminishing bushland areas. Urban environments provide manicured lawns, gardens that contain an array of attractive flowering plants and uninhibited access to bird baths and bird feeders. Species such as Australian Magpies, Magpie-Larks, Noisy Miners, Little Wattlebirds, Red Wattlebirds and Little Ravens have become adept at surviving and breeding in these "highly modified' environments, while other species that were abundant now have smaller populations and are considered threatened.
Our alfresco dining lifestyle also means a ready available food supply for some enterprising bird species such as the Silver Gull, Little Raven and Laughing Kookaburra. Discarded food scraps found in rubbish bins, outdoor eating areas, school yards, etc, are 'easy pickings' for these species. It is not only discarded food scraps that attract wildlife. People also put out food to attract wildlife to their yard and some like to feed the birds and ducks at the local park or beach. Competing for food, water, refuge and breeding sites can place some species in conflict situations with other bird species and with humans. The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) is responsible for the protection of native mammals, birds and reptiles (excluding unprotected species) across South Australia and believes the type and quality of interactions people have with their local wildlife is important. Our "Living with Wildlife' philosophy promotes positive attitudes towards wildlife and encourages people to re-acquaint themselves with their local wildlife. We believe that education about wildlife behaviour and promotion of strategies to counteract negative wildlife interactions is the key to understanding and living with wildlife harmoniously. Native animals are part of our environment and are a shared responsibility.Common swooping birds
Birds that swoop to protect their nest and youngAustralian Magpie (100Kb PDF) Birds that swoop to protect their territoryAustralian Magpie (100Kb PDF) Birds that swoop to scavenge food
Silver Gull
Why do some birds swoop?During their breeding season species such as the Australian Magpie, Magpie-larks and Masked Lapwings are protective parents and instinctively protect their territory, nest and young. Some nesting birds may swoop some people that get too close too their nest.
Not all birds become aggressive and only very few birds from the total population will show any aggression towards humans. It is important to note that only a few birds that have become aggressive have actually attacked humans. Swooping is their most common way of scaring off intruders (whether it is humans or other animals). Noisy Miners and wattlebirds will swoop to defend their territory all year round. Silver Gulls, Little Ravens, Australian Pelicans and Laughing Kookaburras will swoop to scavenge food. When native animals become accustomed to food handouts some can become assertive and persistent and may inflict accidental injury during their attempts to snatch food. Camping areas, barbeque and picnic areas, outdoor dining areas and beaches are typical places where these behaviours may be seen. Dealing with swooping birdsSee Swooping birds – how we can learn to live with them information sheet (350Kb PDF) There are a range of strategies that can be used to avoid being swooped by birds defending their territory, nest and young.
If you are riding a bike or a skateboard and are swooped
Try sticking "eyes' on the back of your helmet or adding two plastic cable ties (approx. 300mm length) to the front of your helmet and place another two cable ties (approx. 150mm) to the helmet over the ears. See Swooping Magpie warning sign (100Kb PDF) Please do not
Strategies to use to prevent birds swooping to scavenge food
Australian Magpies and the lawIn South Australia, Australian Magpies are a protected species under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. In circumstances where an Australian Magpie has attacked or is attacking any person, it is lawful for any person without any permit or other authority under the NPW Act, to kill the offending bird (refer Section 54 NPW Act). Any person planning to kill an offending Australian Magpie must seek approval from the local Police to use a firearm in a built up area prior to undertaking the destruction. There is also a requirement to comply with animal welfare legislation and the Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting in South Australia. Other swooping birds and the lawMost native birds are protected in South Australia. If you feel that a swooping bird is a serious threat to human safety and it can be demonstrated that all avoidance strategies have failed a Permit to Destroy Wildlife may be obtained by the landholder. Living with Wildlife philosophyWe believe the type and quality of interactions people have with their local wildlife is important. Our "Living with Wildlife" philosophy aims to foster an understanding of wildlife behaviour and promote positive attitudes towards wildlife.
Remember
ImportantIf you feel that a swooping bird is a serious threat to human safety it should in the first instance be reported to the owner / occupier of the land upon which the threat exists. Further readingJones, Darryl N. (2002) Magpie alert: learning to live with a wild neighbour, University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Sydney. This information is based on knowledge and technology available at the time of publication and may need to be varied in the light of new knowledge. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Department for Environment and Heritage makes no representations and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. Reference to any company, product or service in this publication should not be taken as a department endorsement of the company, product or service. |
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