Nesting Time Brings Out The Defensive Behaviour Of Magpies

Beware the swooping magpie if you get too close to their nests at this time of the year.

Around October each year the Council always fields phone calls from people who’ve experienced a magpie attack. It can be unnerving, even dangerous, for cyclists in particular.

But people should be aware that in spring, with eggs and young to protect, magpies are well known to act aggressively toward anything they see as an intruder – including cyclists and runners.

The birds are found throughout Marlborough and, close to town, they’re known to nest around the Wither Hills walkway, Taylor River reserve and the Condors Bend/Bedford Road area.

Magpies are not a declared pest the Council’s Regional Pest Management Strategy as they are not considered a major risk to Marlborough’s primary industry and indigenous bird population. However, overly aggressive birds can be reported to Council.

The two species of magpie seen in Marlborough, the black-backed magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen) and the white-backed magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen hypoleuca), were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s.