A 76-year-old man has died of severe head injuries after a swooping magpie caused him to fall off his bicycle.
The Guardian reports the cyclist was riding an off-road path in Woonona, some 11km north of Wollongong, on Sunday morning.
The outlet states the man lost control of the bicycle when he was startled by the swooping bird.
He reportedly collided with a post and fell to the ground, sustaining serious injuries.
The man was airlifted to St George Hospital in Sydney. He died later in the evening.
ABC states the NSW Coroner will lodge a report on the incident.
The news comes as New South Wales enters magpie breeding season, which sees the territorial birds attack potential threats to their nests.
Earlier this month, Sydney’s Hills Shire Council made the extraordinary decision to shoot dead a magpie which the National Parks and Wildlife Service deemed a serious safety risk to the public.
Last year, a Senate estimates hearing discussed magpie safety measures after a spate of swooping incidents at Canberra’s Parliament House.
When travelling through areas prone to swooping magpies, Australians are advised to remain vigilant, walk in groups where possible, and avoid aggression towards the birds.
Magpie breeding season is expected to last until late October.
