The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is reminding Victorians that swooping season will be starting soon.
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Native birds, like magpies and masked lapwings, swoop people to defend their young during the breeding season.
DELWP Senior Wildlife Management Officer Leila Brook said the swooping was largely a protective manoeuvre.
"For some species, including magpies, it's mostly males who swoop and swooping birds account for less than 10 per cent of the population," she said.
"Being swooped by a territorial bird is not fun but this is just normal bird behaviour. The best way to avoid being swooped is to avoid the area all together, though this isn't always possible.
"If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area without running."
Ms Brook said there were some ways to avoid being swooped - know and avoid your local swooping hotspots; move quickly but don't run; cover your heads with a hat, helmet, or umbrella; and consider drawing a pair of eyes on the back of your helmet or hat.
Ms Brook said people could also report a swooping incident to the website, delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/swooping-birds
Magpies and other native birds are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975.
Under the Act, it is an offence to kill, take, control or harm wildlife in Victoria. Penalties apply to those found in breach.
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