Magpies

Back to Melbourne. It's Spring, and the time for swooping magpies, captured in this mural by bird artist Geoffrey Carran ( https://geoffreycarran.com.au/).

I love magpies and grew up on a farm where their carolling heralded the morning. But, I carry a childhood scar on my head from the beak of a swooping magpie. So Spring is the time when pedestrians and cyclists watch out for swooping birds.

https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

[Cheery B]

Great pic and nice mural. It looks almost 3D

[Peter H]

A fantastic mural.

[Yao RL]

Ouch, it does not stop you loving them. How lively this mural is.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

funny I have so many resident magpies and I've never been swooped ... I'm guessing their city cousins have been treated badly by people

[Nina Ganci]

terrific wall art

[Suzanne]

Good morning! I also never had magpies swoop when they were used to me when I lived in the country but when there are so many people around in urban areas it's different. I don't think people treat them badly; the magpies don't get a chance to get to know individual people. @koalagardens

[Suzanne]

Thankyou for your visit and comments. @ninaganci @yaorenliu @peadar @cheeryb

[Korcsog Károly]

I know that during this period, magpies protect their nests in the city. If a magpie attack, you are sure there is a nest nearby!

[Suzanne]

That is true! @kork

[Louise & Ken]

What a gorgeous image...beautiful paintings! A friend in Sydney suburbs used to open her kitchen window and feed the maggies "mince" (kangaroo)! I was enthralled!

[Suzanne]

Magpies easily become friends when they get to know you but urban magpies during the swooping season let you know whose space you are in! @Weezilou