Common sense urged during swooping bird season
Published on 11 August 2026
It’s time to watch the sky as the breeding season for most swooping birds has begun and Gladstone Regional Council is reminding residents to take precautions where necessary.
The breeding season for most swooping birds – including magpies, plovers, crows and butcherbirds – is July to November, peaking between August to October.
Nesting birds are protective of their eggs and chicks, and some will swoop to scare away threats entering their nesting territory.
This behaviour usually occurs within 100 metres of the nest tree, but it can be more. Swooping will last until the chicks leave the nest, which is usually six to eight weeks.
IMAGE: The Australian magpie is the most common swooping bird.
Gladstone Region Councillor Chris Cameron said that while reports of swooping birds can vary from season to season, it is still important that our community takes precautions for their safety.
“The commonsense approach is to avoid these areas during swooping season, but this can sometimes be unavoidable if you walk or ride a certain route to attend work, school, university or for exercise,” Cr Cameron said.
“One of the main misconceptions about magpies is that they all swoop, but extensive behavioural studies have revealed only about 10 per cent of birds act aggressively by swooping to ward off what they perceive as intruders in their territory.
“This 10 per cent figure is almost exclusively from male magpies, as the female magpies generally don’t move far from the nest.”
Cr Cameron added that Council manages swooping birds by providing information, implementing an appropriate response on Council-controlled land such as installing warning signs, and where appropriate, undertake swooping bird assessments.
“We encourage residents to visit Council’s website where they can find handy information about swooping birds, including an easy-to-understand animated video, tips to avoid being swooped, a magpie fact sheet and an interactive swooping bird hotspot map,” he said.
“The interactive map allows residents to view hotspot areas and add their own hotspots so that alternative walking or cycling routes can be made.”
To report swooping birds, contact Council on 4970 0700. You can also report swooping birds online via Council’s website - visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/wildlife for more information and tips on how to avoid or reduce the impact of swooping birds.