Australian man attacked by magpie moments after bragging it wouldn't happen to him

An Australian man has been caught on camera being attacked by a magpie just moments after bragging to his mates it would never happen to him. 

Magpie swooping season is taking off across Australia, forcing officials to issue warnings about a series of high-risk suburbs in New South Wales. 

Michael Murdoch was walking in the NSW town of Raymond Terrace when he was attacked from above by a magpie. 

"I had never actually been swooped by a magpie. I thought they were friendly," Murdoch told 7 News.

To make matters worse for Murdoch, the entire incident was caught on camera - with footage showing the attack unfold before he stumbles to the ground. He tries to get back up but the magpie swoops back in to have another go, which causes him to stumble again. 

"I felt this gust of wind on the back of my head and I heard this massive clap," he said. 

"It was on like Donkey Kong. I started screaming and running. I'm screaming for my life."

Ironically, it was just moments before the attack Murdoch had been bragging to his mates he'd never been swooped.

But the incident has scared Murdoch, telling 7 News he no longer feels confident to walk along the  Raymond Terrace streets during swooping season. 

"I can tell you one thing, I'm scared of them now," he said.

Murdoch had cuts, scratches and a bruised ego after the attack.