Australians are bracing for another tense magpie swooping season as wildlife experts confirm six birds have been found with identical, suspicious injuries — raising fears someone may be deliberately harming the species just weeks before their most defensive period.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital says all six magpies arrived with both legs snapped at the same location, a pattern staff say is “too much of a coincidence” and inconsistent with natural trauma.
Hospital manager and wildlife veterinarian Dr Ludo Valenza told 7NEWS.com.au the timing is disturbing, with magpies now entering the stage where they begin nesting and laying eggs — the trigger for swooping behaviour.
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“Generally, from August is when magpies start to make their nests and lay their eggs. For this reason, they can become protective of their babies and see humans as a threat,” she said.
“This is often due to previous altercations a magpie has had with a person.”
Six magpies have been hospitalised with the same injury Credit: Wildlife Warriors
Valenza said the hospital’s recent cases are deeply troubling.
“We examined six magpies for exactly the same injuries. They all had both legs snapped at the same location,” she said.
“To admit six birds with the same injury — it’s too much of a coincidence. The magpies also had no other signs of trauma associated with being hit by a car.”
Magpie swooping season typically lasts about two months, with thousands of Australians reporting attacks each year. But Valenza says the birds’ behaviour is often misunderstood.
“It’s not aggression. It’s a defensive and protective behaviour,” she said.
“Just as humans protect their young, magpies will do so as well.
“Magpies all have individual personalities so it’s hard to know what an individual magpie might be reactive to.”
She urged people to avoid known swooping zones where possible.
“The best way to prepare is to avoid walking in areas where magpies are swooping. The safest way to move through an area where a magpie is nesting is to just keep your head down and walk past quickly,” she said.
While swooping season is a familiar fear for many Australians, Valenza says the bigger concern right now is the cruelty being inflicted on wildlife.
“What we have seen in these magpies is utterly disturbing and heartbreaking,” she said.
“No matter what the reason is behind these acts of cruelty, it’s completely unacceptable.”
She said the hospital has seen a rise in deliberate harm to native animals.
“We have seen flying foxes shot with BB guns, brush turkeys spray painted, and kangaroos shot with arrows,” she said.
“Our wildlife is already under threat from habitat destruction, vehicle hits and attacks by domestic pets. Our society has no room for individuals who want to harm animals.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital or police.
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