Top Brisbane suburbs for magpie attacks
Swooping magpie attacks have hit the peak month of the year. The worst Brisbane suburbs have been revealed — as well as tips to avoid becoming a victim.
Swooping bird season has touched down in Brisbane with perennial trouble spot Forest Lake so far topping the list of suburbs recording the most complaints.
Forest Lake came in at number three last season, with New Farm claiming the top spot.
While everyone looks out for magpies, butcherbirds and plovers are also proving a nuisance again this season, council data showed.
While magpies swoop anywhere from July to January in most years, the season peaked in September and October.
Last year more than half of all swooping incidents were reported in September and October.
Swooping birds have been an issue for so long that hit children’s TV cartoon Bluey has even devoted an episode to it.
Since July 1, Brisbane City Council has been contacted 87 times.
More than 41 birds were relocated by wildlife experts over the 2024/25 financial year to keep both birds and people safe.
The most effective technique to deal with magpies was to avoid known trouble spots, such as Downey Park in Windsor, Sandford St in St Lucia or parts of Waterworks Rd in The Gap near the high school.
If that was not possible, children were advised to travel in a group as most birds swooped on individuals.
Never panic or run as that encouraged swooping birds and could lead to falls or bicycle accidents.
Wearing a hat, a bike helmet fitted with long zip ties, or using an umbrella were all effective.
Sunglasses were highly recommended to avoid eye injuries.
Cyclists should dismount and walk away from the swooping zone.
Birds should not be provoked and their nests should not be destroyed, as they might re-nest which extended the swooping season.
Feeding birds also was not advised while killing, poisoning or otherwise harming them was illegal and could attract fines.
“With the peak of swooping season here it’s a timely reminder to be alert that we share our city with wildlife,’’ Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
“If residents witness a swooping bird, please let council know so we can monitor the bird and install signage to warn other residents.”
Environment committee chair Councillor Tracy Davis said council placed highly-visible signs in reported swooping locations to ensure people were aware and could take the necessary precautions to keep safe.
She reminded residents that the birds were just trying to protect their chicks.
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