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Brisbane man uses a bin as a shield from an angry plover

Rhiannon TuffieldNCA NewsWire
A Spur Winged Plover, also known as a Masked Lapwing. Jay Town.
Camera IconA Spur Winged Plover, also known as a Masked Lapwing. Jay Town. Credit: News Corp Australia

A man has been forced to shield himself with a bin from an angry plover in an attack captured on film in Queensland.

The frightening video emerged on Tik Tok of the man running for dear life from the terrifying, territorial creature as he innocently tried to put the bin out in Brisbane.

The vision posted showed the man run from his car to the nearby bin, as the aggressive bird shrieked and swooped at him repeatedly.

After using the bin as a shield the man is captured dragging it back towards the car and jumping inside, as the bird swoops nearby.

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Masked lapwings, also known as plovers, are known to swoop or run at predators to defend their eggs or young chicks, making them well known and feared among suburban families.

 

man runs from bird holding bin
Camera IconThe man fled with the bin as the bird circled nearby Credit: NCA NewsWire

The masked lapwing has become known for its wrath against humans, bicycles, animals and lawnmowers, and has become well-known as a breed to avoid during its breeding season from November to June each year.

In attack mode, the bird will generally swoop, run and shriek at its victim, but also has small spurs on its wings to enable it to defend its young.

Attacks are usually seasonal and last until after their eggs have hatched and the chicks are able to fly.

It is unusual for plovers to strike and contact is rarely made when they swoop.

 

Plovers swooping
Camera IconA Spur Winged Plover, also known as a Masked Lapwing. Jay Town. Credit: News Corp Australia

The video has racked up more than 48,000 likes, with many commenting on the perils of living in Australia.

‘In Australia, where you are lucky to survive when going outside to collect the bin or mail,’ one person wrote.

‘If you haven’t been swooped by a bird, are you really Australian?’ another commented.

‘May the odds be in your favour. STRAYA!’ a third wrote.

Although plovers can be found in coastal habitats, plovers are also attracted to suburban areas where it can build a home in grassy areas, leading them to come into contact with humans and animals.

The best thing to do if you are being swooped, or visiting an area you know is home to nesting lapwings, is keep your head down and move slowly.

Running and cycling is more likely to aggravate the birds, compared to slow walking.

Originally published as Brisbane man uses a bin as a shield from an angry plover

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