When birds attack

[maynard]

How to survive magpie swooping season

Spring is the season for blooming flowers, frolicking lambs and… the wild beak-clacking terror of swooping birds?

www.science.org.au

 

[wepn]

While I can't say it's proven beyond doubt but after installing eyes in the back of my head, no swoops, no aaark aaark bif, all birds are giving me a wide berth lol.

Maybe large bulging 3d eyes on the back of the helmet do frighten the birdshit out of magpies - less intelligent Australian magpies at least.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

Difficult to accurately divebomb and laugh at the same time.

 

[Pdoz]

While I can't say it's proven beyond doubt but after installing eyes in the back of my head, no swoops, no aaark aaark bif, all birds are giving me a wide berth lol.

Maybe large bulging 3d eyes on the back of the helmet do frighten the birdshit out of magpies - less intelligent Australian magpies at least.

Magpie psychology goes a lot deeper than that. They're lulling you into a false sense of security whilst consolidating communal ridicule. No, that's not a Kookaburra you can hear.....it's several flocks of Magpies chuckling and getting ready for when you least expect it.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Have you considered trying to get them to love you instead ? They might fly along with you in a defensive formation ?

 

[B1rdie]

Maybe she just needs a little talk.

 

[wepn]

I am impervious to ridicule. I'll go full Spider Head & get some pics to prove it lol

 

[wepn]

Have you considered trying to get them to love you instead ? They might fly along with you in a defensive formation ?

View attachment 39760

I love Magpies but this one bird in particular has a problem with my head. Those costumes would definitely encourage maximum small town vocalised ridicule and, in all probability, intensify the Magpie barrage to Hitchcock magnitudes.

Maybe she just needs a little talk.

They all just need a little talk Only problem kamikaze attack Magpies are always male.

Magpie psychology goes a lot deeper than that. They're lulling you into a false sense of security whilst consolidating communal ridicule. No, that's not a Kookaburra you can hear.....it's several flocks of Magpies chuckling and getting ready for when you least expect it.

My garden is full of Currawongs & Kookabuuras. Love Kookaburras but they too can be missiles - though unintentional due to pilot error. Like Controlled Flight into a sliding glass door. He was fine - tough bird he was.
.

 

[Pdoz]

True story, I once worked with a motorbike mechanic who would nip up from Vic to Qld every weekend with a cockatoo on his shoulder. On an 1100cc motorbike. With 2 bull terriers fighting across his other shoulder.

Anyway, the cocky would grab hold of the D ring on his chin strap to hold on in the pre speed camera era.....

Can you imagine how cranky that cocky was every Monday morning after hanging on for a 3000 km return trip ?

 

[steve_sordy]

@Pdoz Great mental image you conjured up there!

 

[apac]

Brilliant thread?
The only animal hazards near me are stray sheep on the bike path. You Aussies got some of the most poisonous creatures on the planet.... and a kamikaze Magpie. ?
does anyone actually know Why the bird attacks like this? Is it purely territorial?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I don't think they attack everyone .. this is @wepn when he's not on the bike ..

 

[wepn]

 

[Pdoz]

Magpie. ?
does anyone actually know Why the bird attacks like this? Is it purely territorial?

It's payback for naming the worst football team after them.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

Brilliant thread
The only animal hazards near me are stray sheep on the bike path. You Aussies got some of the most poisonous creatures on the planet.... and a kamikaze Magpie.
does anyone actually know Why the bird attacks like this? Is it purely territorial?

Like people, some are just Aholes. Breeding brings out the worst in all but most only act on actual threats. Some attack everything because they enjoy it.
Now we can't cull the bad ones, they are increasing in the population which is why we have many more attacks than years ago.

 

[Eddy Current]

Not even a Pterodactylus would dare

 

[wepn]

Not even a Pterodactylus would dare

View attachment 39838

Many many humans would. Probably more dangerous than wearing no helmet. Yeeuk.

 

[urastus]

That's what I was afraid of. If the Australian Magpie is as smart as I thought it was then it could be a futile search for deterrents despite all the well-meaning and appreciated advice.

I think your eyes will work - they have to be recognisable as eyes. The eyes that she drew were really pathetic and a waste of time. Re the zip ties you have used; I'm not sure that they will do anything. Having zip ties (or something else) pointing upwards or toward the direction of attack is an obstacle for a magpie to overcome on his way to your head. Zip ties hanging down doesn't seem to achieve anything. The eyes work because magpies always attack from behind - if you hear them coming and turn around, they won't get so close.

 

[wepn]

I think your eyes will work - they have to be recognisable as eyes. The eyes that she drew were really pathetic and a waste of time. Re the zip ties you have used; I'm not sure that they will do anything. Having zip ties (or something else) pointing upwards or toward the direction of attack is an obstacle for a magpie to overcome on his way to your head. Zip ties hanging down doesn't seem to achieve anything. The eyes work because magpies always attack from behind - if you hear them coming and turn around, they won't get so close.

I think you’re right. Relatively large 3d eyes could be the solution to the problem that’s been around since bikes first appeared in Australia.

The giant cable ties were really meant to focus attention on the eyes not scare children. Passers-by would hopefully spot the eyes and then go get some though I’m not sure if Spiderhead is kind of cool or would just invite rotting fruit & eggs to be launched at high speed towards Spiderhead. I’m betting on option 2 in some locations.

Today I rode up & down the spot where I was hit, equiped with the eyes no legs. I saw several magpies including the one I think was the perpetrator. Not even a singular solitary swoop.

 

[urastus]

I think you’re right. Relatively large 3d eyes could be the solution to the problem that’s been around since bikes first appeared in Australia.

The giant cable ties were really meant to focus attention on the eyes not scare children. Passers-by would hopefully spot the eyes and then go get some though I’m not sure if Spiderhead is kind of cool or would just invite rotting fruit & eggs to be launched at high speed towards Spiderhead. I’m betting on option 2 in some locations.

Today I rode up & down the spot where I was hit, equiped with the eyes no legs. I saw several magpies including the one I think was the perpetrator. Not even a singular solitary swoop.

I think those eyes will keep car drivers at bay too

 

[wepn]

I think those eyes will keep car drivers at bay too

That would be an equally welcome additional feature especially if they work on Sydney drivers.

 

[wepn]

So finally I've been diagnosed, 7 weeks later, with a potentially serious injury from the Gymnorhina tibicen attack. Temporal arteritis can result in permanent vision loss but the doctor seems to think I'll be okay after maximum dose cortisone.

The eyes in the back of the head anglers floats are almost certainly effective in spooking high velocity magpies & potentially preventing serious injury.

BTW thanks for my new title - it's so apt!

 

[urastus]

I'm not sure I understand wepn; did the magpie attack cause the temporal arteritis? Either way I wish you well with your eyesight - may you have a full recovery.

 

[urastus]

Well, it's Spring in Australia, and the magpies are at it again . Note: the last attack in this video is by spur wing plovers.

 

[wepn]

I'm not sure I understand wepn; did the magpie attack cause the temporal arteritis? Either way I wish you well with your eyesight - may you have a full recovery.

It did. Thanks mate! Can't remember ever being on 'roids before but they're starting to work already

 

[TheRealPoMo]

All the knobends that say they do no harm.... unbelievable...
Anyway, this is the seasonal decoration on my road helmet. They do work - I still get swooped but I hear their wings, see their shadow hovering and coming in close but no contact.
They strike my MTB lid but with the extra coverage, I haven't bothered. That said, a Butcher bird came in and got me on the ear the other day....I may need to get a Fox Dropframe or similar for next season.
Butcher birds are smaller and less scary but more agile and accurate...hence the ear strike.

 

[Zimmerframe]

BTW thanks for my new title - it's so apt!

I had to look that up and research to find the connection .... ~You can see how little influence I have here, I thought my suggestions of "Bird Brain" and "Feather Head" were much better...

I've highlighted the text in the link with the relevant part :

Australian magpie - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

.

 

[Pdoz]

So finally I've been diagnosed, 7 weeks later, with a potentially serious injury from the Gymnorhina tibicen attack. Temporal arteritis can result in permanent vision loss but the doctor seems to think I'll be okay after maximum dose cortisone.

The eyes in the back of the head anglers floats are almost certainly effective in spooking high velocity magpies & potentially preventing serious injury.

BTW thanks for my new title - it's so apt!

How on earth did maggie trigger temporal arteritis?

unless you had some weird interaction with Maggie and she passed on herpes ?

Identification of Herpes Zoster–Associated Temporal Arteritis Among Cases of Giant Cell Arteritis - PMC

To examine whether herpes zoster antigen (also called varicellazoster virus antigen) was detectable in temporal artery biopsies taken from individuals with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Retrospective comparative case series. Sections of formalin-fixed ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[wepn]

I had to look that up and research to find the connection .... ~You can see how little influence I have here, I thought my suggestions of "Bird Brain" and "Feather Head" were much better...

I've highlighted the text in the link with the relevant part :

Australian magpie - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

.

Haha I think Bird Brain works. Also because it felt like I had a bird lodged in my brain for the last 7 weeks.

How on earth did maggie trigger temporal arteritis?

unless you had some weird interaction with Maggie and she passed on herpes ?

Identification of Herpes Zoster–Associated Temporal Arteritis Among Cases of Giant Cell Arteritis - PMC

To examine whether herpes zoster antigen (also called varicellazoster virus antigen) was detectable in temporal artery biopsies taken from individuals with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Retrospective comparative case series. Sections of formalin-fixed ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Well it definitely was a freaky interaction that's for sure but eew now I got bird herpes too?
A 500 gram feathered fuq flying at 50 knots into my temple? No? Now I know you know because you know Maybe my recollection from the doctor's surgery today is a bit hazy. Plus I'm not a doctor.

 

[Bellefield]

Never been attacked by a magpie, arctic terns yes (accidentally walked into their nesting area on a pebble beach and was about halfway through when they started dive bombing me), but never magpies or other birds.