Not only is she renowned for her knowledge of animal behaviour generally and native avian behaviour in particular, but she has also agreed to #FACTCHECK a particularly intriguing technique featured on our favourite ABC show Bluey.
In the ABC Bluey Season 3 episode 'Curry Quest,' Bingo and her Dad Bandit must brave a swooping magpie protecting its nest when they go on a curry swap to friend Mackenzie’s house through the park. During their first walk through the park, they try to maintain eye contact with the magpie, as this is suggested to prevent being swooped. However, Bingo finds it difficult to keep eye contact while walking backwards. To solve this problem, they use face painting at Mackenzie’s house as a workaround. They then head back home through the same park, using face painting on the back of their heads to avoid the magpie’s swoops when they turn around.
Professor Kaplan has observed that this episode includes a significant biological inaccuracy and presents two 'anti-swooping' techniques that she does not recommend. The first error is related to the roles of male and female magpies: “The female magpie incubates the eggs alone and very rarely leaves the nest unattended. The male magpie’s role (for the four weeks of incubation only) is to protect the female from potential threats and bring her food.” Consequently, swooping incidents in the early weeks of spring are typically the work of male magpies. “This episode shows the female who leaves the nest each time, which is incorrect. It should be the male sitting nearby.”
Additionally, Professor Kaplan clarifies, “The female magpie has to maintain a constant temperature of the eggs and she alone takes care of this, unlike tawny frogmouths, where both parents share the role of incubation. She won’t leave the nest or the eggs would get too cold for live chicks to hatch, unless there is a dire emergency.” This distinction is crucial for understanding magpie behaviour during the breeding season.
Professor Kaplan also notes that the initial technique used by Bandit and Bingo—walking through the park while allowing magpies a clear view of their faces (not so much a matter of eye contact) - was a sensible strategy.
“Magpies recognise and remember faces and assess the risk any human might be to them and their nest. When magpies see helmets, hats, sunglasses, or umbrellas, they cannot identify the features of a person’s face and hence won’t be able to remember that person. How is the male to assess your intentions with yourface covered? Hence, the male may perceive you as a threat or at least a risk. This often leads males to swoop in an attempt to discourage you from approaching their nest.”
Although the face painting technique introduced in the episode adds a whimsical twist, it ultimately detracts from the effective strategies recommended for avoiding magpie swoops. “When I was swooped for the first time in a public place I slowly walked over to the other side of the road. Importantly, I allowed the male to study my face and appearance from a safe distance so he could remember me in future, a useful strategy since we now know that magpies remember human faces.”
Unfortunately, while Bingo’s face paint idea was promising in theory, it ultimately undermined the effective approach they had initially used to "build trust with the resident magpie". Another mistake made by Bandit was walking directly under the tree. Professor Kaplan notes, “Magpies always appreciate the extra effort you make to avoid their nesting area, make a slight detour and, if on a bicycle, get off (not ride faster).”
