An Australian cyclist died after trying to avoid a swooping bird on Sunday. The 76-year-old suffered head injuries in the bicycle crash while escaping a magpie. He was cycling off-road near Nicholson Park in Woonona on the New South Wales south coast at 8.15am when the accident occurred. Police said that he veered off the path and crashed into a park fence south of Sydney while trying to get away from the bird.

Eyewitnesses of the incident said that he rode his pushbike off the path trying to dodge the bird. The fell to the ground and suffered serious head injuries. The cyclist was immediately airlifted to St George Hospital where he died. Paramedics tried their best to revive him, but in vain. This is not the first time magpie attacked people, especially cyclists causing them injuries. The Magpie Alert detection website has six registered attacks on cyclists from Nicholson Park this year. The recent attack occurred on Friday last week. Woman Attacked By Bird at Disney World Sues Theme Park After Suffering Brain Injury.

Magpie swooping season begins in September when birds lay their eggs and run for around five weeks. University of New England emeritus Professor Gisela Kaplan told the Daily Telegraph male magpie swoop in order to defend their eggs. Gisela said, "Birds only swoop when they're protective, when they have established a risk,' Professor Kaplan said, adding that making eye contact with magpies can allow them to 'learn' you face. If you look at the bird and show you are not a threat it will remember your face and not attack you." Cassowary Attack in Florida: World’s Most Dangerous Bird Kills Its 75-Year-Old Owner in a Horrible Incident.

Magpies become aggressive during mating season and attack humans crossing its territory as they are protective about their eggs. The birds have also attacked people in the Hills Shire in the city's northwest. A resident also suffered a heart attack. While many suggested that the big magpie should be killed, it is protected by law.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2019 12:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).