Feathered Fury: Butcher Bird Claims More Victims, Leaving Cyclists Bloodied in Cooks Hill

24 September 2024

Cyclists and Walkers in Newcastle’s Cooks Hill are on high alert after a series of aggressive swoops by a territorial butcher bird have left several riders with cuts and bruises. What began as a single incident has escalated into a local phenomenon, with multiple locals sharing stories and images of their encounters on social media.

The saga started when cyclist Felipe Coelho posted a video on Reddit capturing the moment a butcher bird swooped down and pecked his nose while he was riding along Parry Street. “I was attacked by the same bird on my way to work, but it only hit my helmet,” Felipe recounted. “On my way back, I decided to turn on the camera but honestly didn’t think it would happen again. Little did I know.”

Since then, other locals have come forward with their own harrowing tales. One woman shared a photo of herself smiling despite a bloody gash on her nose, while another displayed a cut on her bottom lip. A few others reported minor scratches and close calls with the aggressive bird.

“Same bird, same place. Saturday last week,” commented a fellow cyclist, sharing a picture of himself with a scratch on his nose. Another rider added, “I’ve been attacked twice the last two mornings on Parry Street, once on my nose and once on my bottom lip! I now ride with a face mask.”

The bird in question is a grey butcher bird, known for its melodic calls and striking black and white plumage. Native to Australia, butcher birds are generally not as notorious as magpies for swooping humans, but they can become aggressive when defending their nesting territory, especially during breeding season in spring.

Understanding the Butcher Bird’s Behaviour

Butcher birds get their name from their gruesome habit of impaling prey on thorns or wedging it in tree crevices to make feeding easier. They are highly territorial and have been known to defend their nests vigorously against perceived threats, which now seem to include passing cyclists and pedestrians.

Wildlife experts suggest that the increased aggression could be due to the bird feeling threatened by fast-moving objects like bicycles, which it perceives as predators. The fact that multiple attacks have occurred in the same area suggests there may be a nest nearby that the bird is protecting.

What Can Be Done?

While the situation has caused some distress, there are measures cyclists and pedestrians can take to mitigate the risk:

Avoid the Area: If possible, choose an alternative route during the nesting season, which typically lasts from August to November.
Protective Gear: Wearing helmets with cable ties sticking up can deter swooping birds. Some have taken to wearing face masks or sunglasses to protect their eyes and face.
Slow Down: Moving slowly through the bird’s territory may reduce the perception of threat.
Positive Interaction: Some locals suggest befriending the bird by offering food. “If you take 5 minutes to stop and mimic the bird’s song, you’ll discover that you won’t get attacked,” one commenter noted. However, feeding wildlife is generally discouraged by experts.

Community Reactions

The community response has been a mix of humour and concern. One local quipped, “Cooks Hill? It’d be doing a coke drop to the East End Mother’s Group,” adding a light-hearted spin to the tense situation. Others have expressed a newfound wariness of butcher birds, with comments like, “Butcher birds are worse than magpies. They go for the eyes!”

Despite the attacks, some residents have come to the bird’s defence. “They’re just mums protecting their babies, and you want to punish an animal for doing this?” one person remarked when the idea of intervention was suggested.

Staying Safe During Swooping Season

As the swooping season continues, it’s important for residents to stay vigilant. While the butcher bird’s behaviour is natural, understanding and adapting to it can help prevent further injuries.