Pesky plovers – dealing with swooping birds
Dealing with swooping birds is a topic that arises very frequently in newspapers, on television and on birding forums. During the spring here in Australia, our main bird breeding season, there are numerous complaints from people about aggressive birds. Most of these relate to Australian Magpies. The male aggressively defends the nest. Sometimes contact is made with the unfortunate person and blood is drawn. My own sister-in-law had a terrifying experience like this as a child.
A question from a worried reader:
I recently had a request for help from a reader concerning her children being attacked by plovers (Masked Lapwings). Here is what she said:
My 4 children (5, 7, 9 and 11) were attacked this morning by a group of plovers (a few pairs)they all have young at the moment. They were on their way to the bus stop and the plovers separated the children and were swooping and dive bombing them. They arrived back home shrieking and crying they were so unsettled by the experience. Having come on the internet to see what to do, I have read that they usually do not attack groups. 2 of my children lay on the ground to show they were not hostile. We do not have an alternate route to take. Any ideas on what we can do?
Masked Lapwing
Terrifying:
The experience must have been truly terrifying to the children. I have recently been bombed by a plover while walking near my home. This pair didn’t have young nearby but may have had a nest somewhere. It certainly unnerved me – and they only came to within about 3 metres.
Masked Plovers:
Swooping plovers (lapwings) are a common problem throughout Australia. Rarely do they cause harm by actual contact but this has been known to happen. The spur on the wing has been known to inflict scratches. As your children discovered the unsettling nature of such an attack is just as traumatic as actual contact causing harm.
They have been known to attack in small groups but more commonly just the one pair attacks. The behaviour should stop after the breeding season is over.
Possible solutions:
I do not know of any fool proof system of solving your dilemma. Perhaps the children could wear cycling helmets to minimise any potential damage if struck. (This is an expensive solution if they do not have helmets.)
A cheaper alternative might be for the children to each carry a 50cm stick with a flag tied to the top – say a piece of cloth. Hold the stick above the head as the attack occurs. (This method works with magpies – I haven’t tested it with plovers).
Either solution does not take away the problem of the frightening noise made by the birds during an attack. The children may still be very unnerved even with some form of protection.
I am sorry that I do not know a better solution.
Over to my readers:
Perhaps my readers may be able to suggest a better solution. Leave your ideas in the comments below. COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Further reading:
- Do blackbirds swoop – dealing with aggressive bird behaviour
- Magpies behaving badly
UPDATE: Readers of the Birding-Aus newsgroup have contributed many ideas and comments on this problem. Read their suggestions in the comments section below.
UPDATE: Due to some comments suggesting illegal action on this article, comments are now closed. Sadly some people cannot seem to understand our laws relating to native birds.
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We have plovers in our street which some of us appreciate but others dislike. Sad how some people have no affinity for wildlife. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this link: http://www.juliusbergh.com/plover
A pair of plovers have laid eggs right near where we walk out of our drive what should we do try to move them or not? do they take 30 days to hatch. Judith
I walk everyday and on my rout I pass by a pair of plovers. You say that they only swoop in the spring but this pair never stop! They are there all year round even when they aren’t nesting and continue to swoop. I dont understand why it is not possible for rangers to capture them and move them out of town so that they are safe from people and people are safe from them.
2 days ago I noticed a couple of Plovers in my backyard. Being Winter I have not needed to mow the lawn. I wish i had mowed as now there are 2 babies. I can’t even look out the window without them going off. I love nature but hate them. These birds did not cause any problem up until 2 days ago, when i guess the babies hatched. [Moderator's note: swear words have been deleted from this comment]
They won’t stay around for long though Bradley. The babies usually only hang around for a few days and then they’re off. That’s what I’ve observed anyway. I may be wrong.
Cassie
Cassie, on that, we have a pair of plovers who live in our front padock – their young generally don’t survive (snakes / other birds / cats / drains) which may be why you have have never seen plover chicks around for long? we have only ever witnessed one grow up and ‘leave the nest’ which took a few months (out of about a dozen + chicks over the last two years) – they are aggressive birds, but I can understand why.
Sereena sent these comments via email:
Well, we’ve recently had a pair who nested in the same place as last year. Two years ago, a pair nested near our front gate. It was a bad spot for them (and for us) because taking our bin out and checking the mail was a real pain!
It only lasted a week or two, because they were suddenly gone and when we went to check out the next, there was half an eggshell. Obviously a fox had gotten in during the night.
Last year, they decided to put their nest closer to our garage (again, a nightmare, because they would swoop and attack us when we went out to the car and came in). They successfully hatched their chicks this time and so about a month ago, you guessed it, they came back to exactly the same spot!
After their eggs had hatched however, they hung around for a few days and swooped me when I went out, but they weren’t as aggro as usual and eventually took off further up the paddock.
They drive me crazy, however, its only for a few weeks, so we put up with it. I think the secret is to try and make sure your grass is mowed, cause they like to hide their nests somewhat, so always go for areas with a bit of growth, but not too much, they like to be able to see if there are any threats coming.
Sereena
We have quite a large number of Plovers where I work and they were swooping us every evening because they have young. We had a couple of blokes clipped in the back of the head by them causing nasty wounds in their scalps so we fixed the problem with some no.6 shot from a pump action shotgun. We haven’t had a problem since.
Thanks for visiting my site, Tom. I hope that you realise that all Australian native birds and animals are protected by law. What you have done is illegal. I am not trying to trivialise the suffering caused to the people hurt by the birds in question; they can be terrifying and cause severe injuries. If any birds cause problems in the future, I would advise you to adhere to the law and contact your local National Parks and Wildlife office.
Shooting them is a valid option if you can’t use your property due to constant attack – that said, locating the nest and removing the eggs is another option. They’re pretty easy to find as they lay on the ground – usually in the open. If you remove their eggs a few times they tend to clear off to find another home.
And plover eggs are quite tasty on toast!
Three strikes – you’re out, Maurie.
On all three counts you are suggesting illegal actions. Shooting native birds is illegal, interfering with nests and eggs is illegal and eating them is illegal.
Sadly, your comments means that I am now closing comments on this article. This site is no place for grumpy people to vent their frustrations.
To Tom re shooting birds with shotgun
Trevor is right in what he says -but he says it in a nice way
You are an idiot and if it wasn’t for the fact that you said that
you work, I would have thought you were the age of a 8 year old
whom you expect to do stupid things like you
Grow up!
I haven’t posted here for over 2 yrs I think. But in that time I have lots of time and opportunities to observe plovers and their chicks. They are such amazing birds.
We have had several families of Plovers visiting out foot path and our neighbours yard. I have lots of time watching them through binoculars. I have many stories and should really have started a journal or blog on them. The most amazing thing was the family of 7 that would fly in of a morning and stay most of the day they fly back of again. They did this for a few months and then then was 6 then just 5. Im not sure what happened to the other 2. I was saddened when a large older plover was run over by a car when the pr had a chick the chick was probably a few mths old but didnt seem to survive the couple of days without both parents. A wildlife lady had the plover in care for a few days then released to back. It was an amazing sight seeing it mates watching and calling as she released it, it flew over and they bumped chests and flew off together, totally amazing to have witnessed. A few weeks ago I found one with its mate that had died.
Im not sure if it had been hit or just died. I couldnt see any marks from it being hit. Perhaps it just died. There have been several that have been hit on the rd out from where I live. It was sad to see one of the pr stand for days near where the dead one layed
At the moment in the last week I have noticed two siting on eggs it will be interesting watching over the coming weeks. Hopefully ppl will leave them be.
After all my observing the ones near me never swoop unless someone goes near their chicks. It was great to see the plover chick last yr learnig to fly. It did quite a few face plants to start with. Its funny to watch them make a dog move away from the chick. I have seen this so many times. The 2 plovers will dive and swoop and herd the dog well away from the chick/chicks. I also have learnt their calls and u know when someone is walking near. They are great watchdogs. If u stay well clear from wher they are and dont look a threat they will leave u alone. After all they are just protecting their young.
I would love to know how far they travel each day.
They definitely seem to come and nest in the same spots each yr.
I look forward to spring time ahead and hopefully the chance to view the plovers with their chicks once more.
Its good to see Trevor your site is still running.
Hi there Suzanne,
Thanks for visiting and again leaving your insights into the behaviour of this much maligned bird. They are fascinating and your observations are intriguing.
Yes – my site about Australian birds is still going strongly. It continues to be one of the top birding sites world wide (currently #39 out of many 1000s) and is on track to have well over 100,000 visitors this year. I’ve managed to keep it ticking over nicely with many new articles despite the hindrances of completing my Masters degree, quite a few challenging health issues and some continuing family challenges (an elderly mother we care for).
And next year I plan to include photos and articles about many African birds – after a trip there late this year.
i have read through a number of your experiences and i would like to know how to move the plover on – humanly – i love having them in my backyard but they are attacking and the kids can’t out into the yard. any suggestions.
Hi there,
Every year I am sure it is the same pair of plovers who live in our paddock. In the pasy they have caused me a lot of grief, however I do not wish them any harm & understand they are just protecting their young. Good news was last year & again this year they started their antics but surprisingly moved to someone elses paddock. We have horses & whilst the horses are not frightened of them the birds appear to be more concerned by humans than they do of other animals. When the plovers start swooping I bring in the horses as a reminder to them that there is quite a bit of activity in my paddock so they have moved a long just like last year.I feel quite relieved althogh I can still hear them they are now in a different paddock & one that they don’t have to deal with humans. When they were swooping at me I would carry either a broom with a lagre chaff bag tied on the end or put an umbrella up. Both worked well although it meant I couldn’t carry as much as one hand was always busy. They are very annoying & scary because they appear quite ferrocious when they have you in their sights & are heading towards you. Regardless,they do not deserve to be mistreated or killed. They are God’s creatures & should be respected. We are supposed to be the superior race, so have the intelligence to work out a system that works for you as I have done. That way man & animal can live together.
Im 15 and I hate plovers cause they bug me cause I was walkin to friends one afternoon and we had to cross a field with them so we found stick and we work together and we both decited we need to shoot the but we no it inhumaine but its better then kids being emotionly scared
Hi there, We live in a tiny little culdesac with only 6 houses in it and 1 vacant block of land which has become home to plovers and their newly hatched chicks… How long do they normally hang around for after the chicks are born before they go away??? There are 8 kids who live in the street and usually play cricket and ride their bikes etc outside, but they cannot due to these birds we really want to know when they might be gone. Thanks
Hi there! I was bemused to see this afternoon a plover sitting on what must be a new egg in the front of our place in the horse paddock…just where the horses will want to stand around when I bring them back in a few days. I adore the plovers, with their swooping, lovely cries, and faithful pairing, and this must be a new pair as I have not seen them before let alone nesting in the gateway! Can I move the egg away a little where it might be safer; maybe at the worst it would stop them laying a whole clutch??
I have noticed quite a few chicks at the moment. They seem to be early this yr. Quite a few on eggs.
They dont normally move to far from the nesting site with the chicks. Last yr the plovers and one chick would appear at our place then in the late afternoon squawk their way back done the street to where they would settle for the night then returning again next morning, u could nearly set your watch to it. From what Ive seen is they swoop when the chicks are still small enough for them to sit on and of course if there are eggs and u go near them.
From memory Lee the plovers stay where the eggs were hatched for a few weeks then will move around with their chicks.
I would love to know how far they roam with their chicks.
we also had 7 plovers 2 adults and 5 young plovers that could fly turn up each day they were amazing couldnt believe how they all survived… they looked awesome flying they would spend the day in my neighbours fenced lawned area…
I was told the other day By a Parks and Wildlife Officer) its impossible for the plovers to strike with their spurs because they face backwards on the wings.. unless they are reversing..
The plover use the spurs for fighting on the ground with predators…
We had four eggs laid on our wharf at work. We put safety hats around them so they would be protected from the little traffic we have on site but then when a contractor needed them moved and did so, the four eggs were left unattended/disowned by mum and dad who have lived on our site for the past few years that we know of. So if you don’t want to kill the babies please don’t move the eggs. And to think we are next door to the bush they still prefer the cement and traffic of the wharf, go figure.
If the plover is swooping you. To avoid this pretend that you have a rock or a stick or when the plover bird is near you pretend to punch it and it will actually swoop away. Why it is swooping away watch out for it but make a (break away) or start to run away wile still noticing if the plover bird is still trying to protect it self why swooping at you.
I wonder sometimes if they nest in weird spots like traffic areas because its less likely for cats to be hanging around.
My husband said he saw 2 adults and 3 older chicks yesterday and the parents were herding them down the road where there is roadworks going on past all the workers, he said it looked funny they were squawking away. When I have watched them do that its like they are clearing the way letting everyone know that they are coming through. Must be a good year for plovers in Tassie because Im seeing so many nesting.
Im amazed at some of the things people are worried about and have written on this website.
Ive grown up with Plovers and started observing (annoying) them from a very young age. Ive recently moved house and have the pleasure of watching a pair of plovers nesting right now outside my loungeroom window. Ive taken my son to see the eggs. The chicks will hatch this week and i will show him them as well. I think its important to show my son that although there is lots of misinformation about plovers they are magnificent birds and actually dont hurt you. I have put myself in their way more times than most and have only ever been brushed by a wing tip once or twice because i was pushing my luck.
The spur is located quite close to the body of the bird (so is useless as a “spear” when swooping as suggested in another post. It is there as a visible deterent used when they need to deter predators using some on ground antics because the predators have ignored the swooping and have ventured too close.
If theres Plovers in your area, do what you would normally do and keep walking. If you still dont like it, then dont go there for a few weeks till they leave.
Adam, I understand what you’re saying, but sometimes “keep walking” isn’t an option.
When I made my comment here a couple of years ago, it was after my son’s cricket match turned to chaos with plovers swooping the kids for a few hours. It’s not possible to just pick up and move a game of cricket.
Solutions aren’t always as simple as we’d like, and one solution doesn’t fit all situations.
Thanks for the helpful comments anyway
I have been swooped by a fair few plovers but yesterday i was no where near it’s nest and it still started swooping? What’s with that? :/
Somewhere near by Cassidy was there chick they would have swooped to get u to move away. I have never observed a plover swooping when they are sitting on eggs..
Two pairs I have been watching have hatched their chicks I think one pair have one chick and I saw one at the other spot but the adult was sitting on the nest so she may still be on an egg or another chick.. the chicks are so tiny… Fingers crossed they survive the coming weeks…
We’ve had Plovers for a few weeks now. They drive me insane. I’m on 10 acres and they have claimed the WHOLE lot, well before they laid eggs. I couldnt do a thing without my dogs and I being swooped over and over again which made life tough since I have horses to care for every day. Yesterday, their chicks hatched and now they are even worse. They will dive bomb me relentlessly. I can barely do anything outside because they both take turns immediately, one after the other, so that I literally dont even have 5 seconds in between swoops. Will they leave soon or am I stuck with them since the property is quite large?
If u can avoid the area they are in with the chicks they shouldnt swoop. Its normally if u are close to the eggs or the chicks they swoop. They normally make a noise and if u watch u will see the chick moving away they are warning the chick of your presence. If u are heading towards the chick they will swoop. When they are swooping they are drawing u away from the chick or eggs. They will venture away but may come back at night to sleep.
Hi I know there are lots of personal stories of the plovers on this site but I would really love it if someone could answer how long they are with their parents before they fly off? I have been watching a little family (babies hatched a month ago) in the worst possible nesting spot (very small park between two very busy roads) and today just by chance I was there checking on them I had to tell some people to rack off as they were chasing the babies with their dogs (dropkicks). I actually noticed that there was one less baby : ( today. Would love to see them grown up and fly off for their own sakes as they are in a really awful spot! Not sure if I should call a ranger or not. Thanks : )
Hi yes lots of stories. Well heres another one in a percular place. There are a pair of plovers nesting on the roof of the Royal Brisbane Hospital on the Sixth (6th) Floor. My mum passes these plovers everyday on her way to have radiation and chemo she stops and observes these amazing birds. She is wondering how long the plovers actually nest for. She is also wondering how they will get off the roof. Can anyone help. At least this pair of plovers has given someone a bit of pleasure.. Thanks
From what I remember from last year Catherine the chick was a good size before it started to fly. Was quite funny watching them fly off. Possibly about 8 weeks… was the size of a small adult sized plover. But I also remember a family and their numbers would decrease each time I saw them. U can tell the young plovers when they are the size of their parents by the fluffy feathers on the top of their head.. they stick up. I could always tell the young even tho the same size of the parents by this. The chicks even tho the same size as the parents still stay with them for a while. The ones I saw were nearly a yr perhaps about 9mths or so.
I dont know why they nest nearly busy roads.
The chick around the road only lasted about 9 days. Havent seen it since last week. The adult plovers will take on car swooping though if its near the chick. I saw this lots last yr on our dirt road I cant believe the adults didnt get hit.
Ive seen over 30 plovers and chicks on a shopping centre roof. They must learn to fly on the roof to get off it. I wondered the same. Pleased your Mum is enjoying watching them. They are amazing to watch. They sit on the eggs for about 4-5 weeks.
Thanks so much for getting back to me Suzanne. Sadly though two days after I wrote my first post I went to check on my birds in the morning and there was only one adult left making calls to see where its mate and babies were. They did this for about an hour and then just flew off. I think some cats or dogs must have got the others during the night. Was very sad. I had really taken these guys under my wing (no pun intended). Its a shame they had made it a whole month without incident for it to end so badly.
Plovers keep nesting on our flat roof every year and on our neighbour’s. They drive everyone crazy with their squawking (through the night) and they terrify all the kids with their super aggressive, constant swooping. I’m with Tom. I love nature and wildlife but people have a right to protect their sanity and their children and should be free to move around their backyard. I admire the Plover’s courage and their desire to protect their own children, but they are a pain. If a neighbour has an aggressive dog that keeps visiting your backyard you can complain first to the neighbour, then to Council. If a snake is in your backyard it’s reasonable to kill it. People are now no longer allowed to smoke in restaurants. Legislate against the Plover!!!
I appreciate your concerns, but I don’t take much notice of people who hide behind a pseudonym.
We have had a pair of Plovers live over the road from us for a few years now & I have grown fond of their quirky behaviour. They always disappear over winter, where do they go? We are in suburban Melbourne. This is the first year they have swooped anyone walking past the nest which is only a couple of metres from the road & right in the front garden bed (which has no plants) of our neighbour in full view of everyone & out in the weather, funny birds! We have a few people out walking with their dogs & for some reason the human will stop walking while they are being swooped, I don’t know who’s sillier, the humans who stay in the birds swooping zone or the birds for nesting so close to danger!
Hi Suzi, Masked lapwings (plovers) are nomadic and semi migratory. They are probably moving to more reliable food sources during winter. Thanks for your observations.
I have been watching a plover bring 3 chicks to our front lawn every night for the last 3 nights. It seems strange she ‘sleeps’ with them in an open grassed area with no cover at all. She takes them away for the day, (we have a grass reserve opposite our house) then brings them back at night. Almost lost one while crossing the road 2 nights ago!
I woke to a commotion at 5am this morning, & there was a fox on the front lawn. Sadly I don’t think she will be back tonight, I don’t think the chicks would have been quick enough to get away.
Thanks for your comments Renae. Sadly foxes and cats have accounted for the disappearance of many of our Australian birds, mammals and reptiles over recent decades.
Mmm, … Plovers! Certainly not an attractive bird and yes, that nauseating swawk is at best irritating (even if it isn’t outside your bedroom window at 2.00 am in the morning). But alas they are a joy to stir up in the nesting season.
What a delight to observe their masterful aerobatics when swooping (can’t say I’m that brave with Maggies but plovers are all bluff). Love them or hate them, Brizzie’s suburbs wouldn’t seem like home without them.