Deterrents for magpies Half-full plastic bottles or CDs hung up in trees to scare the predators away. Magpies don't like the way light reflects from the surface.
Some believe flashing lights scare them off, while others swear a zany wig, sticking eyes to the back of your head or opening an umbrella is the way to go. You could even attach a flag to your bike that is higher than your head.
Use signs to warn others of the location of nests and defence zones, particularly in areas used by children and the elderly. Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping.
Natural predators of magpies include various species of monitor lizard and the barking owl. Birds are often killed on roads or electrocuted by powerlines, or poisoned after killing and eating house sparrows or mice, rats or rabbits targeted with baiting.
If there is a swooping magpie in your neighbourhood, take these simple measures to protect yourself and others: • walk through the magpie's territory quickly - don't run; • take a different route next time; • protect your head with an umbrella, hat or helmet; • wear glasses to protect your eyes; • watch the magpies ...
Birds don't like the feel of the foil under their beaks and will stay away. You can also hang strips of aluminum foil (or shiny party streamers) from the trees or other high points around your home and garden. The sun reflects off the shiny surface and bothers their eyes, deterring them from coming near.
However, as the well-known rhyme shows, it is generally only seeing a lone magpie that is supposed to bring bad luck. We're not entirely sure why this is but we do know that magpies often mate for life so seeing a single magpie may mean it has lost its mate and therefore the chance of it bringing bad luck is higher.
Second-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) are poisoning and even killing native wildlife like owls, eagles, magpies, and quolls.
been very important to Australian Aboriginal people. Aborigi- nal peoples stories often used the Magpie as an example to. teach stories based on the Magpie's motherly love, protection. and provision of food and warnings.
It may be possible to deter them by playing a tape of a crow or rook distress call. These distress calls, however, could deter other birds too, not just magpies. Also, please be considerate of your neighbours when playing tapes.
If a magpie tries to swoop you, bend your elbow and bring your forearm close to your head to protect your face. Once your eyes are covered, look down and walk away calmly. Cyclists should also dismount their bikes and proceed on foot through a magpie's attack zone.
Magpies don't seem to notice the eyes, and may attack from the side instead, and don't seem overly bothered by the appearance of cable ties. The only real benefit either strategy offers is some sort of head protection for when a magpie does swoop.
As mentioned, magpie swooping season occurs during a magpie's mating period, which tends to fall between August and October each year. While it can seem like it drags on forever when you're dreading your commute and trying your best to avoid feathered projectiles, a magpie will usually only swoop for around six weeks.
Meet the Magpie Menace
Tourists visiting Australia often arrive terrified of the country's deadly wildlife, from snakes to saltwater crocs to the mythical, man-eating drop bears. Meanwhile, Australians are more afraid of the magpies.
Australian Magpies are strongly territorial and defend their territories both from other magpies as well as potential predators. Unfortunately, some individual magpies perceive humans as a potential threat and accordingly, swoop down with a fast warning flight, occasionally making contact.
Chemicals to always avoid include Brodifacoum, Bromadialone and Difenacoum. Brands include Talon, Fast Action RatSak, Mortein and The Big Cheese Fast Action baits. These poisons kill after just one feed, so generally, anything labelled as 'fast action' will contain these bird-killing poisons.
Dawn and dusk are when you're likely to see birds displaying bolder behaviour, as it is generally a quieter period in terms of human traffic. One of the best ways to get a good shot at a magpie is to catch it while it is eating.
Although extremely rare, deaths linked to magpie attacks do happen.
Interesting fact: It's true, magpies remember your face. They have excellent recall for faces and very long memories. So, if you've been swooped before, or even if you just look like someone they swooped last year, you're likely to get the same treatment again.
Popular superstitions
A way of combating the bad tidings is to say, "Good morning, Mr Magpie - how's your lady wife today?" This means you're showing the magpie due respect, hoping that he won't pass bad luck on to you.
And since magpies can live between 25 and 30 years and are territorial, they can develop lifelong friendships with humans. This bond can extend to trusting certain people around their offspring.
No bird, pigeons included, tolerates the smell of WD-40. I have used it on my mailbox for years to keep the birds aloft. My information comes from the National Park Service, which uses WD-40 to keep pigeons off the Statue Of Liberty. Many large-city apartments use WD-40 on banisters.
Vinegar has a harsh, unpleasant scent that can irritate a bird's sense of smell. It is also a humane way to repel birds from areas around your home. Cheaper white vinegar is preferred and can be used with or without dilution.
Baking soda is a product you probably have on hand that is effective in bird control. Spray a solution of it on areas of your porch where you know birds like to perch. They dislike the feel of the baking soda on their feet.