Officials warn about magpie attacksBy Tung Kuan-yi and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerPedestrians can protect their heads from magpie attacks by using a hat or an umbrella, or avoid areas frequented by the birds altogether, New Taipei City officials said yesterday. The comments came days after a video showing a magpie diving at a person walking a dog sparked public interest, with New Taipei City Councilor Lu Chia-kai (呂家愷) calling on the authorities to warn the public about the birds. The bird shown in the video is a Formosan blue magpie, New Taipei City Animal Protection and Quarantine Office Director Yang Shu-fang (楊淑方) said. People walking near an area claimed by a magpie should not turn their back to the bird and protect themselves, she said. The office has received three reports of magpie attacks in Sansia (三峽), Shulin (樹林) and Sindian (新店) districts, she said.
