Aussies beware of Magpies

dingoEsride

dingoEsride

100 kW
Joined
Apr 15, 2010
Messages
1,127
Location
Perth, Australia
I was on a ride today when I felt something hit my helmet, I turned my head to see the magpie hovering over me, so keep those helmets on, they can hurt when they strike you square and wear maybe safety sun glasses, AJ you will be ok with that spiked helmet

Spring in Australia is magpie season, when a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) around the country become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests, especially bike riders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Magpie

Mark
 
I've heard they don't like zip ties, just remember to take your helmet off when you're near other people lol
One caused me to have a pretty nasty stack on my racer when I was about 16. I haven't had to worry very much about it since because wearing bike helmets has become law, and more recently, I go faster. I will digress on that, I had a bit of sweet revenge at the end of last year's season on a bike path, watching him approach in my mirror, I cruised along then sped up just as he reared up to attack me. He tried to catch up and have another go but gave up the chase. I actually had a few good chuckles with myself after that, very enjoyable. Sucked in maggie!!!

action pic in this thread http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13309&start=15#p202499
 
Sounds like a dangerous place to be. Between the Dingo and magpies..
 
oldhaq said:
One caused me to have a pretty nasty stack on my racer when I was about 16. I haven't had to worry very much about it since because wearing bike helmets
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I never had a problem with wearing them, it was a matter of ride without and risk being fined, don't ride just drive or wear one and enjoy the ride, mine has a sun peak so I didn't see the bird coming, a kid lost or nearly lost his eye last year, you always hear of someone getting hurt by them and as a kid I had one get me square on the head i got him back with a toy plane that you pulled back on an elastic band but I broke the wing off

neptronix said:
Sounds like a dangerous place to be. Between the Dingo and magpies..
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Dingo's aren't really dangerous, there has been a few incidences with them but the biggest by far is the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain, who was never found and only just confirmed that the dingo did take it
 
If a bird got too big for its britches, I would bring out my Trex-700 rc heli and play.
 
dingotookmybaby said:
oldhaq said:
One caused me to have a pretty nasty stack on my racer when I was about 16. I haven't had to worry very much about it since because wearing bike helmets
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I never had a problem with wearing them, it was a matter of ride without and risk being fined, don't ride just drive or wear one and enjoy the ride
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Going by your reply and the point to where you quoted me, do you think a helmet caused me to have a stack and I now have a problem with wearing a helmet :?: :?
I thought it was obvious that I meant a magpie caused it.
dingotookmybaby said:
mine has a sun peak so I didn't see the bird coming
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You don't without one either, sometimes you see their shadow though.
liveforphysics said:
If a bird got too big for its britches, I would bring out my Trex-700 rc heli and play.
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Love to too, but they're a protected species and you're likely to get the attention of the cops or RSPCA.
I wouldn't mind having a go with a pump up toy water cannon.
 
oldhaq said:
Going by your reply and the point to where you quoted me, do you think a helmet caused me to have a stack and I now have a problem with wearing a helmet :?: :?
I thought it was obvious that I meant a magpie caused it.
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I must have grasp the wrong bit of text, I doubt a helmet can cause a stack sorry bout that
 
dingotookmybaby said:
I doubt a helmet can cause a stack sorry bout that
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Sure they can. Reduced hearing is one way, as is reduced vision. Cars give you a wider berth. The biggest reason though is that feeling more protected leads people to ride in a less safe manner, just look at the stupid and risky shit people do wearing helmets. Of course helmets increase your odds if you crash, but how much more likely are you to crash? Sorry to all the helmet preachers, the odds of crashing w/ helmet vs w/o a helmet are definitely not equal.
 
John in CR said:
Sure they can. Reduced hearing is one way, as is reduced vision. Cars give you a wider berth. The biggest reason though is that feeling more protected leads people to ride in a less safe manner, just look at the stupid and risky shit people do wearing helmets. Of course helmets increase your odds if you crash, but how much more likely are you to crash? Sorry to all the helmet preachers, the odds of crashing w/ helmet vs w/o a helmet are definitely not equal.
dingotookmybaby said:
I doubt a helmet can cause a stack sorry bout that
Click to expand...

Sure they can. Reduced hearing is one way, as is reduced vision. Cars give you a wider berth. The biggest reason though is that feeling more protected leads people to ride in a less safe manner, just look at the stupid and risky shit people do wearing helmets. Of course helmets increase your odds if you crash, but how much more likely are you to crash? Sorry to all the helmet preachers, the odds of crashing w/ helmet vs w/o a helmet are definitely not equal.
Click to expand...

True on some good points there John but where I live there is a helmet law so i'll keep it on otherwise a cap or hat will do
 
Dingo's aren't really dangerous, there has been a few incidences with them but the biggest by far is the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain, who was never found and only just confirmed that the dingo did take it
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Lol.. i didn't know the dingo attack was real.. ( looked it up on wikipedia and it was interesting )
i was referencing a Seinfeld episode.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranded
 
John in CR said:
. Of course helmets increase your odds if you crash, ...
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Actually recent research has shown that helmets do NOT reduce the severity of injury in an accident. They may well change the type of injury (less superficial damage) , but internal damage (brain injury, shock , etc) is often increased !!!
http://www.cycle-helmets.com/helmet_damage.html

Dingo's have certainly been known to attack and kill people ,(EG:, Fraser island 2001), .....but that is no different to any canine animal that has not been domestically trained and /or feels threatened.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1304459.stm

I have a Magpie nesting in my yard, and can attest to its feisty behaviour. It will protest its territory even when standing on the ground.
A high pressure hose jet is no deterrent even though it will blow him over, he just comes back for more aggro !
You have to admire their spirit to defend their young & Territory
 
Hillhater said:
John in CR said:
. Of course helmets increase your odds if you crash, ...
Click to expand...

Actually recent research has shown that helmets do NOT reduce the severity of injury in an accident. They may well change the type of injury (less superficial damage) , but internal damage (brain injury, shock , etc) is often increased !!!
http://www.cycle-helmets.com/helmet_damage.html
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Damn Hillhater, awesome info in that paper. Where were you for some of the helmet debates around here?
 
dingotookmybaby said:
, AJ you will be ok with that spiked helmet
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HAHA we have shit loads of Maggies here, they used to try attack my RC heli funny as hell
they got within 12 foot then shit themselves BIG time...chased em round a bit
never hit one though...When i get another heli i will have to have the sp
camera on it hahaha..

KiM
 
yopappamon said:
I'd take a Magpie any day over those huge bats they have in Brisbane. Don't know that the bats attack people, though.

flight.jpg
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pft..not the magpies or the bats you need to worry about Tourists :p its the drop bears
(dont believe wiki about them being fictitious either) you have to be wary of, they are EVERYWHERE ... :mrgreen:

KiM
 
AussieJester said:
pft..not the magpies or the bats you need to worry about Tourists :p its the Drop_bear
(dont believe wiki about them being fictitious either) you have to be wary of, they are EVERYWHERE ... :mrgreen:

KiM
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:shock: :shock:
dont be scared..here is the solution..
....walking through the bush carrying a screwdriver raised above one's head will impale an attacking drop bear.....OR..
.... wearing the traditional pointed wizard's hat, which serves to protect your head from the stunning blow of the bear,
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:wink: :wink: :lol:

but there is NO protection from that BAT SHIT ...its the best paint stripper know to man !! :evil: :evil:
 
Aaahhh,

Now I know why the local postie at work has cable ties sticking out of his bike helmet. That saves me from having to flag him down & ask a dumb question.

Amanda
 
tailwind said:
This magpie looks like he is going for the eye.
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Have seen a few reports on the news of people losing an eye to magpie attacks, i think they see the eyes as a shiny object/reflection and head for it thinking it would look juuust right in the corner of the nest ...


KiM
 
yopappamon said:
I'd take a Magpie any day over those huge bats they have in Brisbane. Don't know that the bats attack people, though.
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I haven't had much of a problem with fruit bats, but had a couple swoop close by me, which is a concern because they carry diseases.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bat-bites-woman-at-pub/story-e6freoof-1111114771351
At dusk many thousands fill the sky when they fly to wherever it is they go for the night.
Some have been found to carry the deadly Hendra virus, which affects horses and humans particularly.
http://www.csiro.au/science/Hendra-Virus.html
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bats-hold-key-to-hendra-virus/story-e6freoof-1225869355046
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henipavirus
Given the choice, I'd pick a maggie, and they're fun now that I've found a new game to play with them on the bike.
 
Well, if the bats carry disease then we must be tuff buggers in Sydney because there are thousands of the Bas***ds hanging around (literally !) in the center of the city.
Anyone who has visited the Botanical Gardens ( next to the Oprah House) can see the Bats hanging in the trees next to the central cafe during the day.
It is impossible to avoid the Bat Crap every where !.. and destroying the (unique )trees.
Some refer to them as "Flying Fox's" , but i think they are best refered to as "Flying Rats".
 
Nagh...pigeons have the title flying rats, disgusting desease ridden things they are...

When i was a youngster, the oldman used to feed a few of the local Magpies, every afternoon same time there would be 5-6 of them on the front porch of the house waiting for afternoon tea, squawked till you came and gave them some food too, could hand feed them
i have also heard that they can talk as well as Cockatoos, dunno how true that is, have heard them make some freaky sounds
so wouldnt put it past them to be able to mimmick humans...


KiM
 
funny lookin "magpie'" not the same as the ones we have swooping us over here anywayz :lol:
that must be one of them cross dressing NSW Maggies, ready for a night at Kings Cross judging by the coloured feathers :p :mrgreen: :p

KiM
 
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