As spring swings into action, residents across the west are being urged to be mindful of magpies.
NatureWest nature educator Susie Inglis said swooping birds are usually male magpies and they are swooping because they are nesting.
“Generally it’s the same magpies that swoop each year. They usually have a territory that they nest in, so the best thing you can do is avoid an area where you know a magpie is swooping,” she said.
“Not all male magpies swoop, only a small percentage do, but you are not going to deter them from swooping. It is an endearing quality– at least they love their babies.”
Those on the swooping radar are typically those the magpies don’t recognise, including pets.
“If you are walking your dog and a magpie swoops your dog, it is the same reason it would swoop you,” Ms Inglis said.
She said the season depends on the weather, starting as early as August and lasting until the end of November in a typical year.
“It is only during their breeding season, but watch out for anywhere with large native trees because that is where they build their nests.”
However, there are other ways people can be mindful of the birds year round.
Ms Inglis said it is best to not feed them what we eat.
“A lot of people think it is okay to feed magpies, but feeding them things like mince is not a good idea.
“Yes, it gives them protein but if you compare mince to say a cockroach, it doesn’t have the other nutrients they need.”
Building your own wildlife garden– one that consists of a mixture of large native trees, smaller native trees and native grasses– can be a way to keep magpies healthy and happy.
Having a garden allows the birds to freshly source their own ingredients and pass along their culinary knowledge to their offspring.
“Bigger birds like magpies, they eat worms, grubs, spiders and caterpillars but they also eat berries,” Ms Inglis said.
“You are providing habitats for insects, the magpies will eat them and teach their babies how to forage for them and be healthier.”
