12:00a.m. 4th September 2008

| By Amy Remeikis

A Coast man has called for attacking magpies to be put down. Photo: David Thomas/152157

If a dog caused this sort of damage to a child the authorities would ensure it would be put down.

But if a bird is the cause of the injuries, then you are on your own.

Or at least that is the message one Maroochydore father received after he attempted to alert the Environmental Protection Agency and the Sunshine Coast Regional council to what he called a “rogue” magpie which caused serious facial injuries to his 14-year-old daughter.

Phil Press and his daughter Courtenay were enjoying their regular Saturday bicycle ride along Broadwater Avenue last week, when a vicious magpie swooped down and struck Courtenay on her ear.

The pair stopped and assessed the damage before quickly continuing on their way back home, when the magpie came in for a second round.

This time Courtenay tried to duck, but she lost her balance and fell off her bike sliding her face along the road.

“A neighbour got Courtenay into her car and I walked the bikes home and it did another run at me,” Mr Press said.

“If I had any way of taking care of the bird I would have then and there.

“I can’t think of any animal that can attack humans repeatedly and get away with it, as others in the street have also been attacked.”

Courtenay needed three stitches to repair a cut just under her eye and her parents are haunted by what could have happened – if avoiding the bird had forced their daughter into the path of a car.

Fourteen-year-old Courtenay Press shows the injuries she sustained when she fell off her bike after being hit by a swooping magpie.

Mr Press said residents in Broadwater Avenue had spoken to him about the magpie attacks and said it needed to be removed for safety reasons.

However, when he contacted the EPA, he was told that their policy was to not remove the birds. He was advised he could arrange for a commercial operator to assess the situation and if appropriate relocate it, at a personal cost of $250.

“That is a hell of a lot of money for most normal families,” he said.

“Someone should be taking responsibility for this.”

A spokeswoman for the EPA said a ranger visited Mr Press yesterday and assessed the area “as to immediate risk” and erected standard warning signs to inform residents of the presence of swooping birds.

She said the agency did not remove problem birds and instead encouraged people to take the necessary precautions to live with magpies during the nesting season which runs for about six to eight weeks between July and December, peaking between August and October.

“Removing a magpie does not negate a risk to the community. Once a bird is removed, another, more aggressive bird might move into that territory. For this reason the EPA does not generally move magpies,” she said.

How to avoid a magpie attack

The male magpie is responsible for most swoops and the swooping is almost entirely limited to the magpie ‘defence zone’ – the area around the nest tree.

While their territory is a few hectares, the defence zone is usually only about 100 metres in radius.

The magpie’s aim is to drive the perceived intruder away from the nest, not to cause injury. Leaving the area quickly almost always stops the swooping.

Stay well clear of areas where magpies are known to be swooping, particularly the nesting tree.

If you must enter the area, move through it quickly, but don’t run. Wear a hat and sunglasses or carry an umbrella. Cyclists should dismount and walk through the territory, which will reduce the chance of falling off the bike or swerving if a bird does swoop. Cyclists can also attach large cable ties to the back of their helmet – use two black ties, sticking up like antennae.

The EPA does not remove magpies, but in some areas there are licensed contractors who will perform this service. Call the EPA on 1300 130 372 or your local council for details.

See www.epa.qld.gov.au or call the EPA on 1300 130 372.