One such deranged feathered fiend in attack mode.

They are the Aussie suburbs in dire need of a no fly-zone, areas where aerial assassins swoop over otherwise peaceful neighbourhoods in kamikaze-style.

To date, there have been 2648 magpie swooping incidents nationally, with 274 reported injuries, according to Magpie Alert.

And from August to October, it can be like dodging feathered missiles in hotspots where the feathered fiends have decided to breed – and go on the attack.

The Magpie Alert website shows the avian assaulters have so far struck injury-inducing attacks in Queensland, NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the islands of Tasmania.

Swooping in each of those states has also been recorded.

In Townsville a cyclist report a “prolonged pursuit” by a winged weapon.

“Pecking under my bike helmet for a good 100m,” Megan wrote of the aerial attack.

“Scratched the back of my head with its beak.”

Southeast Qld Magpie reports of 2025. Red is for attacks and yellow for swoops. Magpie Alerts.

In Maryborough, also in Queensland, report writer Heather said: “Multiple attacks hovering and swooping, on push bike, aiming for face,” of her encounter of September 10.

In Brisbane, swooping injuries have been reported in suburbs including Wynnum, Lota, Teneriffe, Morninsgide, Chelmer and Sinnamon Park.

And not all were cyclists benefiting from a helmet, with some out for a walk or a stroll with their dog.

The winged assassins have also been hard at work in places like the Gold Coast, where unsuspecting victims were swooped and injured on both foot and on bikes.

“I was walking beside the park when a magpie suddenly swooped in from behind and attacked my right ear twice, causing bleeding and a wound,” one Southport victim revealed.

Another was “swooped and injured from behind” in Tugun.

“Then further swooped and contact made four more times but put bag on my head for protection,” Chloe said.

Over the border in NSW, a cyclist was “attacked and injured twice” while cycling in Mullumbimby.

In Goonellabah in Northern NSW, a cyclist went into greater detail about their own ordeal in late August.

“A very large, red-eyed, aggressive magpie performing strong dive-bomb attacks in Rosella Gardens Estate,” Denise wrote.

“It’s primarily in Kookaburra Terrace and Rosella Chase.

“I’ve been attacked multiple times over the past week while trying to get in or out of the estate on my bicycle.

“Even getting off my bicycle and walking slowly hasn’t made a difference – I’m still getting aggressively head slammed.

“Yesterday afternoon was particularly bad and I’ve sustained a multiple whiplash neck injury, resulting in a trip to the GP, prescriptions and time off work.

“Please keep an eye out and if you can capture some photos of this one particular magpie and add it in the comments, this could help me in making a report to the council.

“My injury is resulting in acute pain, time off work and generalised misery which is all highly inconvenient right now.”

Sydney Magpie Attacks of 2025. Magpie Alert

For those who may have missed it, there is a Bluey episode where Bandit takes Bluey to pick up a curry and warns that magpies are on the swoop.

In episode Curry Quest, Bingo and dad Bandit must brave a swooping magpie protecting its nest, when they go on a curry swap to Mackenzie’s house through the park.

The cartoon Heelers never take their eyes of the swooping slayers, even painting eyes on the back of their heads.

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Bluey episode Curry Quest. Source: Bluey

Meanwhile, reports of injuries sustained by magpies have also been logged in Sydney and Newcastle, and further afield.

Further south in Victoria, a cyclist was swooped for about 100m in Churchill.

In Cranbourne, Rawinia came face-to-face with the winged warrior of misery.

“Had just got off the bus and was swooped, and struck on my head twice,” the report said.

“Crossed the road straight away but it followed me all the way until I turned into to the Aldi Carpark.”

Clearly that mad magpie was up for one of Aldi’s Special Buys. Hopefully helmets are in the catalogue this season.

Another person reported reaching the safety of a tram shelter in South Melbourne after being swooped seven times.

Melbourne magpie attacks of 2025. Magpie Alerts

Over in South Australia, swooping reports have been reported across the metro region.

Josh reported an offensive in Glengowrie on September 4.

“Swooped from behind once,” he said.

“The injury did cause a small bleed on the back of my head.

“Turned to face the magpie after, didn’t swoop again.”

Maybe Bluey is for more than just entertainment.

Magpie Molly who became fast friends with dog Peggy went viral: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

According to Magpie Alerts, 13 per cent of attacks in 2024 resulted in injuries.

The site suggested wearing sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat, and getting off a bike and walking if magpies swoop.

Other suggestions included carrying an umbrella. or picking up a stick and raising it over your shoulder as a deterrence.

“Most magpies don’t swoop cyclists at all, and of those that do, very few will make contact with you,” a recent story in Bicycling Australia said.

“Those that connect will usually just tap lightly on your helmet and then leave you alone.

“If you’ve been swooped by one, you’ll also have noticed that magpies generally come from behind, so unless you see a looming shadow, you’re not usually aware of the swooping until it’s over.”

The story advised avoiding areas where magpies are nesting.