Read the eerie warning from bloodied locals attacked by a vicious magpie terrorising a local park just days before a baby girl was tragically killed in swooping attack incident

A concerned resident issued an eerie warning urging others to be aware of an aggressive magpie terrorising a local park just days before a baby was tragically killed in a freak swooping incident.  

Paramedics were called to Holland Park West, in Brisbane's southeast, at 12.05pm on Sunday after a baby suffered serious injuries during a bird attack. 

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokesperson said the mother had been ducking to avoid a magpie when she tripped over with the baby in her arms.

The baby girl was rushed to Queensland's Children hospital in a serious condition with a head injury, but later died.    

Now it has emerged a week before the tragedy a man sternly advised residents to avoid Glindemann Park after he was attacked multiple times, with others saying they too had been attacked and left bloodied by the wild bird.

It was one of many stories shared online in the wake of the infant's death, with dozens of locals coming forward to share stories of being chased by the territorial magpie.

Another resident said he reported the bird to the council about eight weeks ago after being swooped but the bird was not removed (pictured, a warning sign erected in the park )

A man urged residents to steer clear of the park after he was repeatedly attacked by the magpie

'It is magpie season again there's a particularly aggressive one who nests every year in the large gum tree at the end of Glindemann Park,' a man wrote in a local Facebook group on July 31. 

' suggest an alternative route or if you have to use keep an eye out, and don't turn your back on him - just walk calmly through, waving your hands above your head if you have to.

'He's given me a few nips over the years whilst doing bush care down here.'

The man said the bird loiters around the Nursery Road side of the park - the same strip where the woman and baby were attacked on Sunday. 

Many locals said they had experienced similar run-ins with the feathered creature, which left some with bloody wounds. 

One mother said her children were attacked by the same bird, and were wounded on their cheeks, very close to their eyes, despite wearing helmets. 

A Holland Park West local issued a warning to fellow residents to avoid the southern end of Glindemann Park due to an aggressive magpie just seven days before a baby was killed in a swooping incident

'That one has nipped my left ear the past two years and drew blood, right where the earlobe joins my face,' another woman said.

'I've spoken to others who have also been nipped on their left ear by this same bird.'

'He got me too. Luckily only got my sunnies,' another replied. 

One woman said the 'very aggressive' bird relentlessly swooped her as she walked 500 metres, while another said her father-in-law, who is on blood thinners, bled profusely after it cut his head. 

Some claim they had previously reported it to the council, but no action was taken to relocate the animal until the little girl's death.  

Meanwhile, community members have offered their condolences to the grieving family in posts on social media. 

The mother was being swooped by the magpie in Glindemann Park when she tripped while carrying her baby

'So sorry for this family’s loss. Incredibly sad,' one post read.  

'This is just so sad. It makes me angry and incredibly devastated at the same time. 

'The poor mother and father would be suffering in unbearable and unbelievable grief,' another wrote. 

'So very sad. Prayers and thoughts for the heartbroken family,' a third said. 

The baby's parents were walking at the southern side of Glindemann Park on Sunday when they were attacked around midday. 

A young couple nearby said they rushed over to help after hearing the parents screaming. 

Pictured: A warning sign alerting pedestrians about swooping activity in Glindemann Park 

The magpie (stock image) was captured by council workers and taken away in a cage - after numerous complaints from locals fell on deaf ears

'I've seen shock before but this was beyond anything I'd ever seen,' the man told the Courier Mail. 

He praised the baby girl's 'heroic' father for quickly calling Triple-0 while trying to do 'everything he could'.  

'It's sickening I suppose, seeing a family torn apart in one quick moment,' his wife added. 

The wife said they have been 'struggling' since watching the traumatic event unfold, and she found it difficult to sleep on Sunday night.  

Two Brisbane City Council workers captured the magpie at 3pm on Monday and took it away in a cage, after taping off the park and erecting warning signs.  

Swooping, which is only carried out by male magpies, is an uncommon trait among the species, with only around 10 per cent of the males using the technique to defend their nests.   

Brisbane City Standards are investigating the incident and police are preparing a report for the coroner. 

Why do magpies swoop?

Magpies begin sweeping around peak breeding season from August through to November. 

During breeding season, magpies are mainly trying to defend their nest and its inhabitants. Breeding sites for the magpies are in short supply, and once the site has been gained, the magpies must defend it to prevent the territory being reduced or seized.

Male magpies will defend the nest during breeding season until the eggs are laid and the young birds are developed. This means that they will attack anything they consider to be a potential threat such as humans or animals by swooping down with a fast flight which can lead to contact being made.

Magpies will usually attack from behind so facing them has been known to halt a possible attack.

Male adult magpies use body language such as beak clapping, whooshing above the head and screeching to warn you to stay away from their nest with eggs or newly-hatched chicks.  

Experts recommend you don’t fight back or try to run away from the magpie quickly. The main thing is to stay calm as panicking will make the magpie more aggressive and cause more swooping. It is advised that you move away from the area slowly.

HOW TO AVOID SWOOPING 

 - If your usual route is near a magpie's nesting area, try to change your route for the breeding season

- Protect your face by covering up with sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat. You could also hold an open umbrella above your head

-  If you know an area has swooping magpies, put up signs to warn other residents to avoid the area 

Sources: The Australian Museum, PETA Australia