Sydney council culling magpies after repeated swoopings

A Sydney council is culling two magpies after repeated swoopings of locals that has left them bleeding and injured.

In the past month alone there have been at least eight attacks by the aggressive birds in the Johnston Crescent and Tantallon Road area of Lane Cove North.

Residents have suffered scratches, bruises, headaches, and serious cuts, with many saying they are swooped daily when they leave their homes.

READ MORE: Why the best thing to do in a magpie attack may be to go against your instincts

One person said they had multiple bleeding scratches on their head, and "I felt like a shoe hit my head and the pain lasted three days".

"I get swooped almost daily. Surely enough is enough," another wrote in a submission to the council.

"Do we have to wait until someone loses an eye to sort this out? If this was a dog it would have been put down by now."

A third victim said they were left "bleeding heavily" from a wound in their head and had to go to a doctor.

"It was cleaned, tetanus shot and antibiotics required. Panadol for headache, heat pack for neck whiplash recommended," they wrote.

There are also a similar number of attacks reported which did not result in injury.

As a result, the council has received approval from National Parks and Wildlife Services to remove both the male and female magpie.

The approval was needed as magpies are a protected species.

"We all know that swooping season is part of Australian life however unfortunately the injuries being sustained by local residents in this particular area have lead us to explore our options with the National Parks and Wildlife Service," Lane Cove Council said in a statement.

"We'll work to the National Parks guidelines and hope that this is an isolated case as we continue to provide a safe environment for residents and our wildlife."