Australia/New Zealand Aussie Wild Life

[mfunnell]

Today, on our bicycle ride, Dad and I were, um, visited by a couple of these guys:

(that breed, but not that individual bird; we didn't stop so I have no photos from today's ride except for a quick iPhone shot at the end)

Dad was hit near simultaneously from the left and right. One of 'em (I'll call him Manfred) circled back repeatedly and hit him three more times on the shoulder. The other (who I'll call Max) did an Immelmann Turn and came back for me, hitting me three times on the back of my helmet.

Everything is dangerous, down under - even the birds 😂

Your Magpie Attack Statistics for the 2023 Season

Swooping magpie attack statistics across Australia for 2023

www.magpiealert.com

...Mike

P.S. I refer to the birds as 'him' because only the males swoop like this, and only a (fairly) small proportion of them. But they seem to have a special hatred for cyclists.

 

[raydm6]

Glad you made it out intact... ...makes you wonder if there was a nest or ground nest nearby. (I'm not an ornithology 🐣 expert) 🙂

 

[mfunnell]

Glad you made it out intact... ...makes you wonder if there was a nest or ground nest nearby. (I'm not an ornithology 🐣 expert) 🙂

According to the stats, only 12.8% of magpie attacks result in injury. I'm glad to be in the 77.2% this time..

...Mike

 

[seajak]

My wife and I were swooped a couple of times on our route to the new Northern Rivers Rail Trail, but lately he's left us alone. Apparently magpies can remember 20 faces so I guess he's decided we're OK. Magpies are very territorial so it will be interesting to see if he remembers us next year. We had a terrible time with the bird at the local oval the first year we lived here but since then he will let us walk quite close to him.

Cheers,
Clay

 

[Retro-Grouch]

American magpies aren't known for attacking. Maybe there's just something in the water there in Oz that makes everyone a bit loopy? 😉

 

[Out to Lunch]

Many moons ago, while paddling a canoe I survived a similar airborne assault on my noggin from an unknown bird in The Netherlands. I had to get stitches and a tetanus shot. Cheers, OtL

 

[Dachs99]

Sulfar Crested Cockatoo
Canon EOS 3000 N - Ilford HP5+ 400 - ilfosol 3

 

[dexdog]

Cassowary, Daintree National Park, Oz. A snapshot on a Panasonic Lumix zoom. The bird was crossing the river at a pretty good pace, gotta use what is at hand.

 

[dexdog]

A female kookaburra near Katherine Gorge, Oz. Yeah, I missed the focus a bit, but hadda take the shot while I had the opportunity. Canon SX700 HS, zoomed way out.

 

[dexdog]

Kea in the car park near Te Anau, NZ. Canon 40 D with Canon 24-105 zoom. This is a beautiful bird.

 

[lynnb]

Magpie in a local park. This one decided I was friendly, even though it was spring. We also have a family that regularly visits our back yard.
Nikon 1 V1.

magpie #5744-800 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr

 

[dexdog]

Crocodile, Cooinda Yellow Waters Park, Oz

 

[lynnb]

Cassowary, Daintree National Park, Oz. A snapshot on a Panasonic Lumix zoom. The bird was crossing the river at a pretty good pace, gotta use what is at hand.

I'm glad it didn't take a dislike to you!

 

[lynnb]

Close escape in Sydney's Centennial Park

Centennial Park, Sydney, autumn 2021 #300 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr

 

[dexdog]

Jabiru Stork, Kakadu National Park, Oz. Panasonic Lumix zoom

 

[dexdog]

I'm glad it didn't take a dislike to you!

Yeah, these birds have a reputation as being defensive/aggressive. Luckily, I was 30 meters away on a bridge about 5 meters above the river.

 

[Dachs99]

Kea in the car park near Te Anau, NZ. Canon 40 D with Canon 24-105 zoom. This is a beautiful bird.

That is an amazing bird and an equally amazing photo!

 

[Dachs99]

Magpie in a local park. This one decided I was friendly, even though it was spring. We also have a family that regularly visits our back yard.
Nikon 1 V1.

magpie #5744-800 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr

We have a pair of these that have been bringing their young for decades. Being a Collingwood supporter makes it them even more importatnt.