James Vickers was left bloodied after he was swooped more than five separate times over a week by a magpie while cycling through Annerley in Brisbane's south side a few weeks ago.
"I was coming down Annerley Road in the early morning one day and it hit me from the side — it got me between near where my sideburns are on my right ear," Mr Vickers said.
"I got into work and noticed I had blood there.
"Another day, I got cut again in the morning and then in the afternoon, I got hit again and was bleeding.
"On the way home [another day], I decided I'd go a different way and then I got swooped by another magpie."
Mr Vickers is not alone.
It's magpie season, which means up to eight weeks of aerial attacks, as our fearsome feathered friends protect their eggs and chicks from predators.
What should I do mid attack?
Ecologist Carly Campbell said even though it's difficult, it's important not to freak out and run, as that could provoke a further attack.
"If you're getting swooped, the main thing you want to do is try to quickly and calmly move out of their space," Ms Campbell said.
"Usually, they only swoop 100 metres around their nest so generally if you move away quickly and calmly, they will stop swooping you.
"If you do start waving your arms and yelling, that drives home the fact that you're a threat.
"They might then start swooping you more if you react badly … because you're looking big and scary and doing unpredictable things."
The Environment Department also warns not to fight back.
Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie is likely to make it more aggressive to anyone who enters the zone around their nest.
If it's not actively swooping, you can also try maintaining eye contact with the bird until you're a safe distance away from it and its nest.
What do I do if it leaves a mark?
Queensland Health says all animal scratches and bites should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
Use an antiseptic, if available.
Apply an ice pack to the site if you have any pain.
Seek medical advice only if you develop any other symptoms or signs of infection.
How do I protect myself from a magpie?
After the last attack, Mr Vickers put some long zip ties on his helmet and hasn't been swooped since.
"I've got ones that hang out about 30 centimetres from my helmet, I zip tie them through the holes and make sure the end of the zip tie is pointing out," he said.
If you're a cyclist riding through a known swooping area, Ms Campbell recommends getting off your bike and walking past.
For pedestrians, walkers and skateboarders, she suggests wearing sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat — and take a different route for the next six or so weeks.
"Be aware of where magpies are," Ms Campbell said.
"If you've got any magpies you know who tend to swoop, it's good to try and give them a bit of space, because magpies that tend to swoop tend to keep swooping."
Note the location as they're likely to return to the same place next year.
The social-media driven website Magpie Alert tracks reports of aggressive, swooping magpies nationwide, including those resulting in injury.
Should I report a magpie that dive-bombs me?
We should remember the swooping birds are being good parents and defending their family.
Only a very small proportion of magpies do swoop and they only do it during breeding season.
However, serious swooping incidents should be reported to your local council.
"I know some people won't agree with council's approach of having aggressive birds relocated … [but] these birds can be dangerous and we are determined to put people first," Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
"Once council is aware swooping is occurring, the location is carefully monitored by our officers.
"If further complaints occur or there's an indication that a bird's behaviour is escalating, we engage experts to undertake an assessment and remove the bird, if required."
To report a swooping bird in Brisbane, call council on (07) 3403 8888.
Who is most at risk?
Anything foreign will look like a threat to a magpie, Ms Campbell says, but they seem to particularly dislike cyclists.
"People who are riding bikes often seem like more of a threat because they look bigger because they're on the bike and are moving quite fast," Ms Campbell said.
It's important to note, too, if you are mean to a magpie, it might forever hold a grudge.
"They are very smart animals so they do learn faces," she said.
"It's just a matter of trying to harmoniously live alongside them and give them the space they need during breeding season."
