Page 21 - Magazine - Issue 1 - Google Docs_Neat

Why do Magpies swoop?

Magpies are definitely not bloodthirsty monsters out to get us at this time

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of year. They are ust using signs such as beak clapping, whooshing above

your head and screeching to warn others to keep away from their eggs or

newly-hatched chicks. Magpies usually breed between August to October

every year. And t’s during this time that they protectively swoop. Magpies

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will swoop for only about six weeks until their chicks are grown up and

leave the nest, so magpie breeding season s usually all over by November.

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Male magpies defend their nests from the time the eggs are aid until the
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young birds are grown, and they will attack anything they consider to be a

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threat, from a kid on a bike or a dog or an adult ust walking under or near

the nest.

Where can you find magpies?

Magpies usually nest n the outer branches of a tree, up to 15 m above the

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(

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ground. Their nest s constructed from sticks and twigs occasionally

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wire), with a small nterior bowl ined with grass and hair. Magpies are

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generally found n temperate regions of Europe, Asia and Western North

America and Australia. There are ots of apps that can help you ocate

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particularly aggressive magpies. These apps nclude Swooper and Magpie

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Alert. Or you can ust try and remember where the magpies were ast

spring and try to avoid that area or tree.

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