Swooping Birds

magpie plover butcherbird

Many species of birds breed in spring (August – October). For some species, such as the Magpie and Masked Lapwing (Plover), their natural behaviour is to protect the territory around their nesting site. This may result in “parent” birds swooping either people, pets or other animals.

Only some individuals see people as a threat. Most birds will not swoop. Swooping occurs for six to eight weeks, commencing when the adult pair is nesting, and generally concludes when the young leave the nest.

Swooping birds are displaying natural behaviour that is temporary and only occurs within the breeding season.

To reduce your chances of being swooped:

  • Avoid the nest site and use an alternate route if possible – you can check out our map of reported swooping bird locations below to help plan your trip;
  • Do not deliberately provoke or harass the birds as this may make them more aggressive;
  • Walk calmly through the area - DON’T RUN;
  • Protect your head with a large, wide brim hat or carry an open umbrella; you can place eyes on the back of hats and umbrellas which may reduce the likelihood of the bird swooping;
  • Wear glasses to protect your eyes;
  • Keep an eye on the bird as they are less likely to swoop if you look at them; and
  • Bike riders - dismount from your bike and walk through the bird’s territory and try fitting a bike flag to your bike or attaching cable ties or fake eyes to the back of your helmet.

If you feel a swooping bird has become a danger, the swooping bird and its location can be reported to:

  • The landowner;
  • The nearest National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) office (4580 2750); or
  • Camden Council 13 22 63.

NPWS and Camden Council can install warning signs to alert members of the public to swooping birds.

Native Australian Birds including Magpies and Plovers are protected by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and harming native birds and/or their nests is illegal.

Native birds have an important ecological role in Australian ecosystem processes. It is important that we co-exist with native wildlife to ensure we are not endangering the conservation of our native animals. 

For further information view the following documents: 

Current Swooping Bird Reports in the Camden Local Government Area

This dataset records reviewed reports made to Camden Council of swooping birds within the Camden Local Government Area for the current year. 

Disclaimer: While care has been taken to create and compile this dataset, Camden Council does not warrant, represent or guarantee that it is accurate, complete, current, suitable or available. To the extent permitted by law, Camden Council excludes all liability, including any liability for negligence or otherwise, for any loss or damage arising from reliance on, or use of, material in this dataset.

For further information, call Camden Council’s Sustainability Team on (02) 13 CAMDEN (13 226 336)