A Canberra postman has revealed the ingenious trick he uses to befriend magpies so the territorial birds do not swoop him.
Magpie season, which runs from September to November, is well underway with almost 3,000 attacks across the country this year.
With hundreds of injuries reported so far – including toddlers being scratched on the face – Australians have been urged to be safe and watch out for magpies while out walking or cycling.
John Kanard, a Canberra postman, has revealed the ingenious trick he uses to befriend magpies so the territorial birds do not swoop him (stock image)
Magpie season, which runs from September to November, is well underway with almost 3,000 attacks across the country this year ( a female cyclist is pictured being swooped on August 30)
But thanks to his clever plan, postman John Kanard claims he has not been attacked in two years.
Mr Kanard told The Canberra Times he began feeding magpies on his route ‘good quality’ muesli bars all year round so the male birds wouldn’t swoop him during spring.
‘Really, it’s as simple as gaining the animal’s trust when it’s not spring time and you feed them,’ he said.
With hundreds of injuries reported so far – including toddlers being scratched on the face – Australians have been urged to be safe and watch out for magpies while out walking or cycling (pictured is a cyclist being swooped earlier this year)
But thanks to his clever plan, postman John Kanard claims he has not been attacked in two years
‘There’s a little section in Campbell where I can without exaggeration be surrounded by 30 birds,’ he said.
Mr Kanard said his favourite magpie in the suburb of Reid, by Canberra War Memorial, that imitates a cockatoo.
‘I’d just say to my colleagues at work ‘don’t be scared, feed them’,’ he said.
Mr Kanard said his favourite magpie in the suburb of Reid, by Canberra War Memorial, that imitates a cockatoo (not pictured)