Why Has Swooping Season Kicked Off Early?


It’s still winter, why are magpies swooping already? Reports of magpie attacks have started. President of the Canberra Ornithologists Group said it was not unheard of for magpies to begin swooping in August. People always think about birds breeding in springtime, but many birds start their breeding in winter so that the young are coming out when there's lots of food in spring, and it's typical for magpies in the Canberra district to start nest-building in July. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Why has swooping season kicked off early?

Posted by on 17 Aug 2023

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  • [0] [0]
    Jibberman

    I have been swooped on and it is annoying. Not sure why it has started early but with strange weather patterns birds are obviously affected

    Posted by Jibberman on 09 Sep 2023
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    vlee

    I haven't noticed any magpies swooping yet in our area (Adelaide) and we live next to a reserve where we see magpies a lot. We even have a bird bath in our front yard so they can get water when they are thirsty.

    Posted by vlee on 03 Sep 2023
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    sandra

    AFL fans know the reason - because Collingwood magpies finished on top of the ladder! Magpies are beginning early intimidation ready for the finals. LOL I'm lucky, although we have lots of trees and lots of magpies, they never swoop. I do talk to them as I walk my dog and they seem to answer back with beautiful warbling. PS - I'm not a Collingwood fan!

    Posted by sandra on 03 Sep 2023
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    Sally

    I think because it was the warmest winter on record in Australia magpies can tell it’s warmer so have started their “warmer weather ritual” earlier

    Posted by Sally on 03 Sep 2023
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    Miro

    I think the issue here is we think in time, no other species does. They FEEL the weather, and we've been told we have just had the warmest, driest winter - so it makes sense that animal and wildlife is going to move forward this season earlier than the last few years.

    Posted by Miro on 01 Sep 2023
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    Khallen

    I feed Magpies and they only swoop when someone threatens them with Branchges or stick as people are likely to carry thinking that they are safe but I have known my Magpies to Swoop when a man had a great big Gumtree branch and was hitting at them when they where just sitting on the fence and ever since then when this man walks by they Swoop him ! Other than that they will swoop if anyone is close to where their new babies are that have just come from the nest ! And yes they are breeding early here in Melbourne Suburbs already which for my pair is fairly early as its normally late September that the female is on the nest and then come December they will have another hatchling period ! But I think its got to do with the weather as they are getting earlier this past three years as their 2nd hatchling used to be in late December but its getting back to early November ! I can whistle my Birds and they are never far away and will come for a feed as they know me and trust is something that is also earned from them them !

    Posted by Khallen on 25 Aug 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    MS

    Not a problem where I live.

    Posted by MS on 19 Aug 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Allan

    Apart from the odd day and night winter has been milder!

    Posted by Allan on 19 Aug 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    vickbenla

    I don’t think it’s early, they usually start nesting through August September & the males will protect their territory. If you don’t want to get swooped feed them (womberoo, mixed with a little mince) they actually tell their friends & you won’t get swooped

    Posted by vickbenla on 19 Aug 2023
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    moo3333

    I feed them at my place. They are such lovely birds and so friendly.

    Posted by moo3333 on 01 Sep 2023
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    Paula

    I don't think it's early and have known Magpies to swoop in August previously.

    Posted by Paula on 18 Aug 2023
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    ere

    Perhaps it's the short spell of warm weather that's caused some to nest a little earlier than usual. However, there's a large number of maggies around where I live and none of them are swooping yet. Once a maggie gets to know you they won't swoop, they are only defending their territory from strangers. They are very clever birds and will come when called once they know you.

    Posted by ere on 18 Aug 2023
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    coaster

    Agree. Nothing new here. As you say, when you are a regular and I always say hello they have never bothered me and I usually get a song from them as I walk by.

    Posted by coaster on 24 Aug 2023
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