Has anyone ever tried that painted-eyes-on-back-of-helmet thing? Just curious as to whether it actually works or if it's just another myth.
I don't believe this will work: I once walked past a tree with a magpie and got swooped at a few times - always from behind. The next time I passed I turned around 180 deg and continued walking backwards. The bugger sat on a branch, let itself drop and came right at my face. When it was a few metres away I jumped up and down, waving my arms and shouting, to scare it away.
Conclusion: magpies infer from your direction of motion where front and back are, and attack even when they can see your face.
Some "bush" magpies seem much less confident about getting up close. When bushwalking I've had them hovering a good 5 metres overhead, and trying to be threatening from up there. I think they build up confidence with ongoing experience with their targets.
I'll agree with that. Here in Dubbo, the town magpies are a lot more game. The most vicious one lives right in the middle of town. It actually perches on your shoulders and attacks your helmet and ears. There are one or two others that will strike your helmet as they swoop by.
The maggies that live out of town a few kilometres are much more reserved. They just make a couple of distant passes for form's sake, then fly off into a tree and watch you go by.
-- John Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to your older self. - Terry Pratchett, "Thud!"
BTW - are there any reports of the feisty little buggers on other routes/paths in Melboring? Maybe it's a nifty idea for magpie-sightings to be posted, so others can be aware of aggro behaviour & try to avoid them where possible!
A new use for Bikely!
Zebee
I was about to suggest the same thing! A magpie map would be very useful I think.
I was about to suggest the same thing! A magpie map would be very useful I think.
There were no maggies on my previous commute, I haven't seen any so far. I wonder if the Melbourne Magpies are just meaner and crazier than maggies elsewhere? I suppose they'd have to all be Collingwood supporters which might explain it.
