SYDNEY, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The rising number of eye injuries inflicted on people by swooping magpies in Melbourne has pushed a hospital in the Australian city to issue warnings over the birds, local media reported.
"Normally, we might see one or two a month," Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital's emergency director, Dr Carmel Crock, told ABC radio on Thursday about the cases.
"But in July we saw 14 cases of bird eye injuries. August there were 12.
"In the last week ... we saw five in the one day, including a penetrating eye injury that needed to go to theatre."
Where the latest attacks occurred included areas in the central business district. Dr Crock said many of the injuries are minor but some "can really go all the way through and cause a penetrating injury, with bleeding and bruising at the back of the eye to the retina."
Many protective and aggressive male magpies target people, mostly cyclists, who go near the birds' nests during Australia's "swooping season" in spring.
There is also a "Magpie Alert!" website tracking areas, mostly in the eastern parts of the country, where the attacks have occurred.
Less than one-fifth of attacks resulted in injury last year and more than 700 swooping incidents have been reported this year in Melbourne's Victoria state alone, according to the website.
Magpies are protected in Australia and it is illegal to kill the birds. Birds that pose a "serious menace" should be reported to local authorities, the website advises. People should also "stay well clear and even plan alternative routes" if they spot the nesting sites.
