Some native birds such as magpies and plovers may swoop during their breeding season.

Native birds swoop in urban and rural areas, parks and gardens, along bike tracks or anywhere that birds are nesting, to defend their eggs and young.

“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so don't be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area,” a Department of Energy, Environment and

Climate Action (DEECA) spokesperson said:

"Remember, the swooping behaviour will only last for a few weeks, normally stopping soon after the young leave the nest.”

If you are worried about being caught out by a protective bird this spring, here are some steps you can take to feel safe:

• Know your local swooping hotspots and avoid the area
• Move quickly but do not run
• Wear protective head and eye coverings
• Don’t harass birds – this can make swooping worse
• Don’t feed the birds and do not destroy their nests

Report a swooping incident on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map at www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

All Victorian native wildlife is protected by law, and it is illegal to harass or harm native birds and other wildlife without authorisation.

You can report wildlife crime such as harassing, harming or disturbing wildlife to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.