Terrifying moment ‘devil spawn’ repeatedly attacks young boy on the Gold Coast
A Gold Coast dad believes a magpie has “marked” his six-year-old son after he was attacked four times in just two days. READ HIS WARNING
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A Gold Coast dad says a “devil spawn” magpie has “marked” his six-year-old son, attacking him four times in just two days but ignoring everyone else.
The swooping magpie even crossed four lanes of traffic to take on the little tacker as he rode his bike.
Kevin Barnes and his son Oliver were cycling towards Aldi on Christine Ave, Varsity Lakes, last Sunday when the bird decided to strike.
“I was in front of my kid and I heard him laughing, but sort of shouting for me at the same time,” Mr Barnes told the Bulletin.
“I turned around and there was a magpie on top of his helmet, pecking at his head.
“As soon as I came back to him, the thing flew off.”
Oliver was attacked in the same area on three other occasions within four days, but curiously, the magpie never went after other people in the vicinity, he said.
“We tried the other side of the road thinking there’s no way it will cross four lanes of traffic to attack my kid, but sure enough, he picked him out of the crowd again,” Mr Barnes said.
“It made a beeline for him, all the way across the street.
“It definitely has him marked.
“I have heard about swooping before, but I’ve never seen a magpie pick one individual out of a crowd and go for them on repeated occasions.”
Researchers have found that magpies do have the ability to recognise human faces and remember them.
Magpie swooping season typically runs from July to November, and attacks during this period are much more common.
People experiencing issues with problem magpies should report it to their local council.
While magpie encounters can be frightening, Mr Barnes said Oliver wasn’t too worried.
“He finds the attention quite exciting, if anything,” the dad said.
“It’s odd and funny that there is one out there that knows my son and wants to take him on.”
Father and son have since been testing out different methods to ward off the bird.
Mr Barnes said others should take care in the area if they were with young or vulnerable people.
“If your kid isn’t as confident on their bike, then it can be a bit dangerous.”
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