With their large size, bold pied plumage, and fondness for open areas, black-billed magpies are easily seen. They hop and walk on the ground with a swaggering and confident gait. Monotypic.

What is far more common is human aggression towards the birds. In May a Victorian man was fined after killing four magpies and injuring another two so seriously they were euthanised. And almost ...

Despite paramedics' efforts to save him, the man later died in hospital. Swooping magpies are a common threat in Australia during spring and often cause injuries to cyclists and pedestrians ...