Magpie attacks toddler near Tinana playground

A Fraser Coast mum is warning parents after a magpie attack at a local park left her toddler with blood gushing from his head.

A walk to the park took a terrifying turn for a local mum after her toddler was viciously attacked by a magpie.

Ashleigh Ferguson told the Fraser Coast Chronicle that when she saw blood gushing from her son Jordan’s head, her mind immediately went to the tragic magpie attack at a park in Brisbane earlier this year where a mum fell trying to avoid the swooping bird and accidentally crushed her baby.

Now, after her close call, she’s warning parents to take extra care.

Ashleigh and her partner were walking with their family on Woongool Road at Tinana, near Maryborough, on the way to the local park when she spotted a magpie looking at them.

She said she was initially relieved when it flew off, but the bird was actually preparing to swoop, circling back and lashing two-year-old Jordan’s head.

“The bird flew up and next thing I heard him crying,” Ashleigh said.

“It was literally all of a matter of seconds.”

Jordan suffered two bloody wounds to the back of the head, where the bird had attacked with an open beak.

The family rushed back to the car which they’d parked further up to allow the children to ride their bikes.

“The poor kid didn’t make it to the playground that day,” she said.

As Ashleigh’s partner’s mum is a nurse, they quickly rang for advice.

The wounds didn’t need stitches, but they were told to keep a close eye on him and clean the injuries.

Ashleigh said it was the amount of blood that shocked her, as she’d had to place pressure on the wounds to stop the bleeding.

The family had previously visited the playground and had seen the magpie hanging around, she said.

Another mum has since told her that her son had been attacked three times by the territorial magpie.

Ashleigh said she hoped her story would help others stay safe and prevent another attack.

See the map of the Fraser Coast’s common swooping danger zones.

Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Darren Everard said he sympathised with the toddler.

“The poor little fellow. I can sympathise with him, having been subjected to many surprise swoops over the years,” Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Darren Everard said.

“Council had placed two warning signs at the park, one at the toilet block and one at the playground, to alert parents and children to watch for magpies.

“I hope he is on the road to recovery and still wants to visit the park at some time in the future.”

The council is limited in how it can respond to aggressive birds, Cr Everard said.

Magpies are protected wildlife and are the responsibility of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, with the council not having any legal right to relocate magpies.

“When council is contacted about aggressive birds (such as crows, plovers and magpies) on private property, we advise that a licenced wildlife handler should be contacted to remove and relocate the birds.

When the council receives information about aggressive magpies on council land, it also advises the Department of Environment and Science to log the information.

“However, the handler may charge a fee, and the person requesting the service would be liable to pay that fee.

“When the council receives information about aggressive magpies on council land, it also advises the Department of Environment and Science to log the information.

“The council places warning signs in parks and other council-controlled areas if requested. ”

“Unfortunately, it is breeding season so the birds can be aggressive as they protect their young,” Cr Everard said.

“If you are heading out please wear a hat and take care. The breeding season is usually finished by mid-December.”