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The death of a five-month-old baby, after her mother fell while dodging the swooping magpie in a park, has devastated the community, throwing the spotlight onto the birds’ behaviour.
Although experts say deaths related to magpie attacks do happen but are extremely rare. Australia has recorded 212 magpie attacks across the country so far this year. Queensland clocking up the most of any state with 88 reported attacks.
Sean Dooley, national public affairs manager at Birdlife Australia says, “The best way to deal with a magpie attack is to as fast as you can but don’t run, protect your face, and get out of there as quickly as possible to minimise your risk of injury.”