Man treated for deep cut after aggressive magpie swoops

A man has been treated for a laceration to his head after a magpie turned hostile in Adelaide today and swooped dozens of unsuspecting pedestrians.

Warning signs were put up at Victoria Square in the city centre after paramedics treated a man who had a deep cut and required stitches after the incident.

The bird, which appeared to be attempting to protect its young, continued to swoop pedestrians.

Some people ran with boxes and umbrellas for protection.

“They look out to have a good time and I think it’s their idea of fun,” one swooping victim, Haydn Reynolds, said.

Experts said magpies can remember faces and are likely to swoop people multiple times.

However the best ways to stay safe are to protect your head, stay calm, don’t run, don’t fight back and walk in a group if possible as a deterrent.