Media Statements

Swooping season – it’s more than magpies

30 August 2024

Ipswich residents are being encouraged to be on the lookout for protective bird parents as swooping season comes into effect.

Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said a range of native birds could display swooping behaviour, not just magpies.

“Swooping is a natural defensive behaviour to protect eggs and young, and generally only lasts for a few weeks,” Cr Madden said.

“A range of native birds, including plovers, butcherbirds, kookaburras, crows, pied currawongs, and magpie-larks have also been known to swoop at times.

“While we typically think of magpies as being aggressive in swooping season, in reality only about nine per cent of magpies display those behaviours towards people.”

Cr Madden said wildlife and human conflict can be inevitable this time of year, but there are ways to manage most situations.

“All native wildlife is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is against the law to harm these native birds,” Cr Madden said.

“If there are swooping birds on council land, such as local roads, council can evaluate the situation and may take actions such as installing signage.”

To keep yourself safe and protect our wildlife here are some tips to follow:

• Keep clear of the breeding area by taking a different route during swooping season
• Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat
• If riding a bike near a breeding area, dismount and walk
• Maintain eye contact with the bird if you have to enter the defence zone
• Help educate your family, neighbourhood and community of defence zones in your area.