I think it should be killed. Maybe it was protecting its territory, but it managed to attack so badly it drew blood. Some people have even lost eyes, or been severely cut from these birds swooping. Put it this way - if it were a dog who bit someone who came too close to her pups, it'd be destroyed, after being labeled a dangerous dog. Why isn't this is the same with birds? http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/police-refuse-to-shoot-magpie-which-attacked-schoolgirl-at-tweed-heads/story-e6freuzi-1226131507071 Its coming into magpie swooping season here. I hate them. Have been petrified of them since I was swooped in Primary School when I was about 7. Darn bird chased me across the yard. During the entire spring I never go anywhere where there is a thick mass of trees. I will walk down a street but that's it. I stay inside, if I do go out I carry a big stick and am prepared to use it. I really hate these birds. I know they have babies to protect, but when they physically injure someone who is simply trying to go for a walk, or ride a bike, then I think something needs to be done.
Bwhhahahaha. It's a (*)(*)(*)(*)ing 6 oz bird. Grow the hell up. It is nothing but sheer nonsense, a tiny bird swooping someone being referred to the NPWS and making news.
No - it is about double that size. The Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a completely different bird to the 'magpies' of the northern hemisphere (Pica pica). They can be quite dangerous This one probably should be destroyed. But you shouldn't condemn all maggies Mak. Less than 10% of magpies do this. The family in my street are very friendly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Magpie#Swooping
I can't not condemn them, Bugs. I have never been so petrified of anything in my life. I hate them. I panic when I see one, my fear is that bad. This one should be destroyed because it has caused harm to a person. The girl is lucky she didn't lose an eye.
I know they can be scary. But I haven't actually been swooped by one for years. I think people might treat them better now days, so they are not as frightened of people. I agree the few that cause trouble maybe should be destroyed. But I think they are one of the nicest birds in the garden. Love their sound.
Even an air gun (i.e. no gunpowder) would take care of a bird. That being said, I am still not convinced that a bird needs to be executed because it was defending it's territory. Just walk on the other side of the street. One of life's lessons.
Walking on the other side of the street does nothing. They will still swoop. Riding a bicycle, wearing a hat, carrying a stick, nothing helps. You can't expect people to stop walking down a street, can you?
Colonel Sanders: "The bird must die." Well, there you have it. There's a broiler in this bird's future.
