Why the Covid pandemic will make this year's magpie swooping season WORSE - after the freak death of a baby girl in a park
Experts say Australia's magpie swooping season could get a lot worse during lockdown as face masks make the birds more likely to attack.
Griffith University magpie expert Darryl Jones told the NCA Newswire: 'We know that they recognise people by their facial features so when these are covered by a mask, they can’t distinguish between everyone.
Magpie experts are concerned that wearing face masks during the bird's breeding season could lead to more swooping attacks
While the birds are able to recognise facial features, experts say face masks will prevent this and cause the magpies to be threatened and attack everyone
‘So, just to be safe (in their minds), they seem to be saying “I can’t tell who is that nasty one so I had better belt everyone.”'
The warning comes just weeks after a five-month-old girl tragically died when her mother tried to protect her from a swooping bird in a Brisbane park.
Author and University of New England magpie expert Gisela Kaplan added: 'They are wonderful creatures and usually parks are the only places with trees thick and tall enough for them to nest.'
Ms Kaplan says swooping is used to warn passers-by and believes the large numbers of unrecognisable people walking in parks during lockdown will force magpies to attack more.
The South Australian government is warning people to watch out for magpies during the spring breeding season from August until October.
The advice says females are known to lay their eggs from mid-August and stay in the nests guarding them until they hatch weeks later.
During the breeding season male magpies will swoop at anything they deem a threat in order to protect the nests until the young birds are developed.
A warning sign pictured at Glindemann Park, Brisbane after a five-month-old girl died when her mother tried to protect her from a swooping magpie
This month Simone, 30, was walking through Glindemann Park in Holland Park West, south-east Brisbane, with baby Mia in her arms when she tripped while trying to avoid the aggressive magpie.
The little girl suffered head injuries and paramedics took her to Queensland Children Hospital, but she couldn't be saved.
The youngster's father Jacob, 32, described the agony of losing his only child to Daily Mail Australia.
Five-month-old Mia suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital after she and her mother Simone were swooped by an aggressive magpie
Her father Jacob said Mia had an infectious smile and laugh and brought joy to everyone
'Our whole world has been taken from us and the pain we are experiencing is unimaginable,' he said.
'We are so grateful for the most precious little gift we ever received.
'Mia brought joy to everyone's lives with her infectious smile, her pure innocence and her adorable laugh, she will be forever in all our hearts.'
Jacob said Mia was the most precious gift that he and Simone 'ever received' and that her 'adorable laugh' and 'infectious smile' brought joy to everyone's lives.
The doting father thanked family, friends and members of the public who have expressed their condolences, and reminded people to 'love and embrace your loved ones'.
'We live in such an incredible and thoughtful community,' he said.
'Your well wishes have touched our hearts and we appreciate all the support you have provided. We are sorry we cannot thank everyone individually but we are reading every loving message we receive.'
Family members pay their respects on Tuesday at the park where baby Mia tragically died after a magpie swooping incident at Glindemann Park in Holland Park West
Pictured: Grieving loved ones are are seen with an arrangement of flowers at Glindemann Park
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 )
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