I was just walking back from an appointment with my little boy in his buggy, through the suburbs, minding my own business and I was swooped upon by a mahooosive bird - resembled a magpie/crow - five times! I even hid under a tree after the fourth time as it was scaring the crap out of me!!! I thought I'd lost it when it came back for one last go. The bloody thing was getting closer every time! Aaargh. Is this a regular/normal thing..? - I need to know if I should expect this everytime I go out!! This is only the second time I've walked around our neighbourhood and I'm completely amazed at the balls the bird had - I swear I was ready to take a swipe at it with my bag after the fifth time!!!

Rather like the seagulls we had back home in Brighton, second cousin to an eagle

very common ! welcome to australia....hee hee.
http://www.trevorsbirding.com/do-bla...ird-behaviour/

Magpies swoop in spring.

This is what I said on another forum:

Magpies can become dangerous in springtime. They are very fierce when it comes to protecting their young, and they ‘swoop’ people from September to early November. These birds are quite large, with very strong beaks, and all schoolchildren get lessons in how to deal with them.
You come learn which birds in your area are dangerous – sometimes the local government or council will put warning signs on trees where dangerous birds are residing.
If a magpie is watching you the best thing to do is to stare at it until you have left ‘their area’. They will not approach you if they know your eyes are on them.
At that time of year you will see that anybody who is out walking carries a big stick. This is used both to provide something higher than your head, should a magpie swoop you, and also to hit a bird away should it become too aggressive. Some bike riders paint eyes on the top of their helmets, and some schoolchildren wear hats with eyes painted on the top.

Wow, that is really interesting - thank you. Funnily enough, once I did start keeping my eye on where it was it stopped. Thanks

One of the reasons why air rifles should be legal in Australia.

Yes it’s swooping season, and magpies swoop you (some people have been killed – I’m serious). Make sure you don’t look at them so they don’t swoop at your eyes and try wear a hat.

The first time I came to Oz I was 11 and me, my Mum and Brother decided to walk to the shopping centre, on the way we got attacked by Magpies, had no idea what was happening.... we just ran down the road screaming, it looked like a scene from Hitckcocks’ “The Birds”

Mikey

The reason you shouldn’t look at them is because of this: “A 74 year old Mildura man died after a magpie attack in which he received a serious eye injury.”

http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/animalattacks.htm

Mikey

I've actually just reported the incident to the Environmental Protection Agency as it happened right next to Moreton Bay College which is quite concerning - there's a lot of little kids in that area. Not sure if anything will come of it but it's worth a try.

Ya big fairy!

You've only been here two minutes and you're writing strongly worded letters to the council already!

Hey, we had been in the country 2 days and out of no where got attacked by about 8 birds, lol.... you would of done the same, admit it!

2 days in the country you are looking out for spiders and snakes, not normal birds.

Oh, does anyone know why the magpies attack you here but not overseas?

Mikey

Are you kidding! I had to write to the council the other day after the bloody bin men depostited half our rubbish in the middle of the road for the birds to pick at - including my kid's messy nappies. Not nice at all. I'm not a whinger (normally) but I figure if you don't speak up then the only person to blame if it happens again is yourself. Anyway. I'm gonna complain about the bloody noisy frogs in our garden next - and the crickets - how dare they spoil our evening peace

I reckon there's something in the water or something that sends all these creatures into a murderous frenzy.

You're an habitual moaner. They'll have your cards marked!