A WA council has called for a magpie that swooped on and injured two children to be culled.
The City of Stirling Council said it would apply to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for the offending bird to be eradicated following the incidents, Perth Now reported.
The children were left with eye injuries after attacks at Clarko Reserve, a beachside park in the Perth suburb of Trigg, the report said.
Two children could lose sight in one eye after magpie attack in Perth. Source: The West Australian
Cameron Craigie, a wildlife officer from the department, told SBS News on Thursday it had not yet “received any dangerous fauna applications for the 2018 spring season” but had been in correspondence with the council about the incidents.
Asked how the specific bird would be identified, he said: “the department has to be confident that before a license [to cull] is issued, the animal(s) … are clearly distinguishable from other animals of the same species that are in the area.”
“A department representative will only carry out the license if they are certain the animal declared as dangerous fauna is obtainable”.
An Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tyrannica). Source: Ardea Picture Library / AAP
The West Australian reported that the children had operations to repair cuts to the iris and cornea of their right eyes.
Magpies are often seen swooping on humans in Australia during the months of September and October, in response to a perceived threat to their chicks.
Rob Magrath, a bird behaviour expert from ANU’s Research School of Biology, told SBS News magpies “often attack cyclists … perhaps because moving fast suggests a threat”.
Males are more likely to swoop, he said, and on someone they have had a "bad experience" with, but even then, "the majority don't attack”.
“Being nice to your local magpies could help. They can identify individuals, and won't swoop if they recognise you as harmless or helpful,” he said.
In 2017, a poll by The Guardian named the species Australian bird of the year.
