Rural & Agriculture
11 September, 2025
Look up! Swooping season is here again
AS the weather gets warmer and the days longer, we also start to see the occasional swooping bird.
Native birds enter their breeding season in spring, and some may get protective of their young.
Lachlan Clarke, Manager Statewide Wildlife Advisory Services at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) said magpies swoop to protect their young.
“Swooping is a normal, temporary behaviour for native birds like magpies, butcherbirds and masked lapwings to defend their eggs and chicks for a short time while their young are most vulnerable.”
“Think of it as a warning sign. They're telling you to keep your distance. While it can be a bit unsettling, it’s rare for them to make contact,” he said.
Swooping can occur in both urban and rural areas, including parks, gardens, and along bike paths.
“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so the presence of magpies or other common swooping birds does not necessarily mean you will be swooped”, Mr Clarke said.
The swooping season only lasts a short time, usually ending once the young have left the nest.
If you are worried about being caught out by a protective bird this spring, here are some steps you can take to feel safe, while also protecting our native birds:
• Avoid known swooping hotspots.
• Move quickly, don’t run if near a swooping bird.
• Wear protective head and eye coverings.
• Don’t harass birds, as this can escalate swooping.
• Don’t feed birds or destroy their nests.
Report a swooping incident on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map by visiting:
https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds
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