Magpie Attacks

Felice Scapin

Just to let everyone know of a simple solution that actually works on Magpie attack. Just cut up pieces of christmas tintsle and thread at the back of your helmet. Let it dangle about 6inches (15mm). It will stop them short from hitting you, this is from someone who is terrified of birds, and it works very well

Skull

I usually just let them do their attack on my helmet and laugh it off although I can see if you are not a bird liker, it might initially scare the pants off you.

Skull

jcjordan

I have just found out what its like to be attacked by a magpie. I never had a problem in Adelaide, but here is Canberra they seem to be a bit more agressive. The foam at the back of my helmet has a number of places where their claws have made a impact.

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"Pain does not last, bones heal and chicks dig scars"

miss claire

Wheni am under attack i put my sunglasses behind my head as its rare for them to attack head on.We are told every magpie season that doing that dosent work anymore,as they are getting wise,but i has worked for me

artemidorus

I have never seen them coming and have only ever been struck on the helmet, at least while cycling.
Has anyone actually copped a beakful anywhere else while cycling?

jur

Only on the helmet so far, but while not scary at all, I do find it annoying and it distracts me from concentrating on the traffic.

Does helmet color have any effect?

Wrightstuff

It has mainly been on the helmet, but I have been nipped at the ears as well. Some large earphones may provide protection.

I just hate when they come back for a 2nd or 3rd go. The most number of times I have ever been hit on the helmet in one day has been 8 times (4 times each direction) by two different males. Gets very tedious I tell you.

mezzinator

I've been chased by some Syndey Swans players and a West Coast Eagle once threw a rock at me but have never had any trouble from magpies.

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I'm pretty sure theres more to life than being really really good looking, and one day I hope to find out what that is...

simpsonc

I've been divebombed when on foot before, which isn't much of a problem. But yesterday, for the first time, I am proud to say I've now been attacked on the bike. It was pretty uncool I have to say.

First thing I noticed was a loud screech directly behind my head. Then some very sharp claws dug into my upper back, which hurt like hell and drew blood. I began the sprint whilst fending off 3 divebombs by waving my arm behind me when I saw him coming again, and eventually my little friend gave up when I reached about 50 km/h - from what I've heard, this speed and above makes it hard for them to strike with any force.

A letter in Bicycling Australia a few years back spoke about the critical speed to prevent divebombing occuring (helps if you know there's a cross magpie waiting for you) - above 50 seems to stop them leaping out of the tree.

So - to all Melbourne pedallists : this little fellow is waiting about 50 metres north of the start of the southern end of Station St in Carrum, and I imagine he might be there for a little while. I had just exited the Nepean Highway on my way back from Mt Eliza, crossed the traintracks, hung a left and just started pedalling when I made my new friend.

SEGFTG

I was hit three times a few weeks ago on high street road, wantirna, and have had a few close calls around the basin. It might sound strange but my primal instincts took hold, I yelled out loud like a animal and it seemed to scare the little bastards off.

jur

I have had it with the buggers, I am mounting something on my helmet, some fake eyes. Today the one bugger actually penetrated the helmet's shell.

Dancier

That magpie got me twice on Tuesday, on the way down to Portsea he dive bombed me and brushed his beek along my back. On the way back I looked around and could not see him but when I was not looking he got on the helmet.

That bird has become an expert at getting us cyclists, he probably works overtime and gets every cyclist passing by because I spoke to a few guys and they said they were hit as well.

flipper

There's a nasty one near the cnr of Colchester Rd and Canterbury Rds in Kilsyth, just outside Spartan's Gym.
As I was busy accelerating from a standing start at the traffic lights, he had enough time to hit me 5 times. The first hit sounded like someone clapping their hands just above my head... hell of a noise for a beak.

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"I think the only rule is that if someone is a big fat bastard its fairly safe to assume they aren't going to be pwning anyone on a climb" ~ classic1

Borg

Butcher birds are bad too. Their beaks are very sharp although they rarely make contact. I'd say they are as territorial as a Maggie but a hit won't make as much impact as they are smaller.