Danger from sky prompts harsh call from previous attack victim

A man still carrying the mental scars of a 13-stitches childhood attack seeks action after recent bird badgering.

Retiree Frank Tanti wants to see aggressive magpies removed from bustling business centres. Picture: Marcel Baum.

A CONCERNED resident is calling on decisive action against “dangerous” magpies.

North Lakes retiree Frank Tanti was spurred to action after a recent incident with a particularly diligent bird near traffic lights at North Lakes and Lakefield drives in North Lakes.

“Walking over there I got swooped three times and on the way back I got hit four times,” Mr Tanti said.

“And they are clever; they don’t seem to attack you if you look at them and they really hit me hard.

“I am glad I had my hat on; for some reason I put it on that day.”

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Mr Tanti revealed a fraught history with magpies, saying he received 13 stitches from a protective bird at the age of ten.

The retiree said the recent death of a cyclist due to an interaction with a magpie at Wollongong was reason enough to take the threat seriously.

“Even though the bird is doing its job protecting its territory, it is dangerous and when something is dangerous it needs to be fixed,” Mr Tanti said.

“And so I am calling on them to be eradicated or removed at this location.

“Because it is not like we are out in the country, there are lots of people in this area and I don’t want to see myself or anyone else get poked in the eye or get stitches in the head.

“They hit with some power and if they have their beak sharp, they can cause some damage.”

Experts say only some magpies swoop during their nesting season. Photographer: Liam Kidston

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesman said it is illegal to kill or interfere with native birds and that their removal falls under the purview of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

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Council said only one complaint had been received about the location of the attack, where council warning signs have been recently installed advising residents to take alternate routes.

A DES spokesman said the department did not record incidents of swooping and confirmed removal of problem birds was a council concern.

An up-to-date list of magpie attacks can be found at magpiealert.com.

COUNCIL RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWIING ADVICE TO AVOID INJURY:

• Take an alternate route - the best way to avoid being swooped is to avoid the bird’s territory
• Wear a hat and sunglasses or carry an umbrella to protect your face and eyes
• Dismount from your bicycle - data from magpiealert.com shows that nearly two-thirds of swoops are on cyclists
• Don’t wave your arms, yell or throw objects at the bird - this will likely make the bird more aggressive
• Remain calm and walk quickly through the area, but don’t run - injuries often occur when people panic and run from a swooping bird.