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Swooping season

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From August to November, many of our native birds are busy nesting and raising their young. During this time, some birds may swoop if they perceive people or animals as a threat to their nest, eggs or chicks.

While magpies are well known for swooping, not all magpies swoop. Other native birds may also display protective behaviour during breeding season, including Masked Lapwings, Ravens, Magpie-Larks, Butcherbirds and Noisy Miners.

Swooping is temporary and usually stops once chicks have left the nest. In the meantime, a few simple precautions can help you safely share the space with our native birds:

  1. Give it space. If you know a bird is actively swooping in a particular location, avoid the immediate area where possible and take an alternative route. Birds can swoop in a range of environments, including parks, streets, school grounds and bike paths.
  2. Stay calm and keep moving. If you need to pass through an area where a bird is swooping, move calmly and steadily. Don’t run or make sudden movements.
  3. Protect your head and eyes. Wear a hat or carry an open umbrella. Cyclists should wear a helmet, dismount and walk their bike through the area.
  4. Don’t approach or harass the bird. Never interfere with birds or their nests or throw objects at them. This can make them feel more threatened and may increase defensive behaviour.
  5. Travel together where possible. Birds may be less likely to swoop people travelling in a group.

You can check for known swooping locations and learn more about swooping birds through the Victorian Government’s Magpie Map at wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds.

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