Bird whisperer shares simple way to avoid swooping magpies

It’s the everyday menace that many Aussies face, but one man reckons he knows the solution.

A man has befriended a flock of magpies by just whistling at them. Picture: TikTok

Move over Dr Dolittle: Australia has a bird whisperer with the ability to calm a flock of magpies with just a few short whistles.

In a scene reminiscent of a Disney Princess movie, TikToker Lewis Spears filmed himself whistling while a group of magpies gathered near him.

“Everybody worried about magpies this swooping season, you’re cowards,” he said.

“What you need to do is make friends with the birds, watch this.”

Seemingly impressed with his ability to communicate with his new feathered friends, the TikToker continued to whistle while the magpies moved closer to him.

The man continued to whistle as the birds approached him. Picture: TikTok

“You’ve got to assemble an army. Get them on your team,” he joked.

He said it was important to become allies with the birds to survive swooping season, which typically falls between August to November each year.

Commenters agreed that whistling was one of the easiest ways to befriend magpies.

@lewspears This swoopie season, I have allied myself with the birds. #Australia #Magpies #birdsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Lewis Spears

“I swear by this,” commenter Bree said.

“We rescued a magpie as a baby bird and now it’s like every magpie knows about it. I always say hello and whistle to them. It’s about the intention and the energy behind the whistle.”

When one commenter asked Mr Spears how he was so successful at befriending the birds, he said it was because he was handsome.

The man joked that the birds enjoyed his company because he was handsome. Picture: TikTok

One commenter encouraged those unable to whistle to just talk to the birds.

“They’re very smart birds. Predators don’t make themselves known so by talking to them you show you’re not a threat,” they said.

Another commenter said that their local magpie family is so friendly that the birds warned their human friends about a large snake nearby.

But being accepted by local magpies does have the occasional downside, with some magpies choosing to deliver unwanted gifts to their human friends.

“I have magpies try to come into my house bringing me bugs. Magnus, you are cute but my diet doesn’t include bug,” commenter Amy said.