I've often wondered why some Lapwings or Magpies are worse than
others when
it comes to swooping? Or why some birds target particular
individuals?
Perhaps they have memories of being tormented by people when young,
or by a
particular person fitting a specific description (like Shirley's
golfer, or
Greg's kids next door). Pure speculation of course, but perhaps
there's
something there?
Well there's a magpie in the park across from the corner of Milton
Road and Torwood St, Auchenflower (Brisbane) and he is right little
vicious bugger. He attacks mostly cyclists. A couple of years ago he
got me good in the side of the face and drew a bit of blood. Over a
month ago in July (fairly early for swooping season) he really got my
wife bad and drew quite a bit of blood. He is well known in the
cycling community. He often "stalks" his victims. Waits patiently
across the road when the lights are red until you start moving. He
will make numerous attempts at you and chase you for a fair distance
nearly 100 metres down to the railway underpass.
Don't know what made him like this however. Maybe just inner city
living. However our local pair of breeding maggies are very tolerant
of humans and have never swooped anyone to my knowledge.
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