‘Shoot to kill’ authority issued for rogue butcherbird menacing McCrae
A “psychotic” butcherbird that has been terrorising the Mornington Peninsula for months is now on death row.
South East
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A butcherbird with a taste for blood that has been menacing the Mornington Peninsula for months is now on death row.
A ‘shoot to kill’ permit has been issued by the Conservation Regulator after the rogue bird was deemed unsuitable for relocation.
But it’s not over yet for the “psychotic” bird that announces each attack with a high-pitched cackle.
A McCrae mum, who sought help from the state government after her son and parents were repeatedly attacked, has been told she has to foot the $660 bill for the bird’s destruction.
Kerry Lambert wants the state to cover the cost, arguing while the bird lived on private land, most of its attacks were carried out along the public foreshore nearby.
“I was told I could have the permit but would have to organise the shooter myself and pay for it,” Ms Lambert said.
“The quote I got for the job was $660.
“When I suggested the state government should pay for it, the response was ‘good luck’.”
A state government spokeswoman said said public safety was important.
“The department is working with local council to identify a way to safely remove the bird from the area,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Lambert has challenged Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to brave the bird himself by taking a walk through its territory.
“He needs to get out from behind his red tap, put on a hat and come down here and see for himself,” she said.
“I don’t want to sound crazy but I really fear someone is going to be seriously hurt or killed by this bird.
“There have been a number of incidents where cyclists under attack along Point Nepean Road have almost been hit by cars as they try and avoid the bird.”
While it was unusual for the Conservation Regulator to issue an Authority To Control Wildlife for a butcherbird, it has happened before.
In 2023 a permit for the lethal control of a grey butcherbird was issued.
It authorised the destruction of two birds.
By comparison, permission was given to destroy up to 477 Australian magpies after 20 ATCW for the species were issued in the same year.
Data provided by the Conservation Regulator included only the number of authorities issued, the number of birds that were destroyed was not provided.
Ms Lambert’s son William, 10, was swooped by the butcherbird while riding home from school a couple of weeks ago.
The bird gouged flesh from his cheek, close to his right eye.
Ms Lambert said the bird had also taken a chunk out of her father’s cheek, ripped the glasses from the face of another local and hit others on the head countless times.