The black and white, spring-time swoopers won the top title after securing 19,926 votes of the total 149,848 votes the nation-wide poll received.

The Australian white ibis came in second with 19,083 votes and the laughing kookaburra arrived in third place on 10,953 votes.

The Mid North Coast is no stranger to run-ins with magpies, with many residents having been victim to a magpie swoop at least once in their lives. Earlier this year, one highly protective bird in Widderson Street, Port Macquarie even drew blood on its unsuspecting targets.

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The top 10 bird results were as follows:

WINNER: Australian magpie on 19926 votes.

They swoop, they carol, they love to be fed. Everyone loves (or hates) a magpie. Can Eddie McGuire rally the Magpie Army to get this bird over the line? Or will it lose out to one of those blue boys?

Second: Australian white ibis on 19083 votes.

Despite all the negative press, there is still a lot of love for the much-maligned “bin chicken”. With the loss of much of their traditional wetland haunts inland, many ibises have adapted to city life, feasting on the abundance of our refuse.

Third: Laughing kookaburra on 10953 votes.

Perhaps the best-known Australian sound, that laughter is not actually for comic effect but to let other kookaburras know they had better back off – this turf’s occupied.

Fourth: Tawny frogmouth on 6869.

Is it an owl? Is it a muppet? No it’s a type of nightjar that is surprisingly common in most Australian cities but remains largely unnoticed owing to its habit of looking like a dead piece of wood.

Fifth: Superb fairywren on 6366 votes.

Not only is the male fairywren one of Australia’s showiest birds, it is also one of the most promiscuous in the world, with infidelity rates that would put Hollywood to shame.

Sixth: Rainbow lorikeet on 6041 votes.

Described by one poet as “paintballing” our city skies, these bold, bright, nectar-feeding parrots are also the most commonly reported bird in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

Seventh: Willie wagtail on 4789 votes.

Australia’s favourite bird in a 1908 vote. What’s not to like about this always active little bird that will go to any length to defend the eggs and young in its delicate, cup-shaped nest?

Eighth: Wedge-tailed eagle on 4517 votes.

One of the largest birds of prey in the world, the wedgie’s reputation as a sheep killer is somewhat overstated. Once persecution stops, the seriously impressive beasts start to make a comeback.

Ninth: Southern cassowary on 4168 votes.

Weighing in at about 65kg and with a long switchblade of a toe, the cassowary is one scary customer. But loss of its rainforest habitat, dog attacks and speeding cars make it vulnerable to extinction.

Tenth: Splendid fairywren on 4129 votes.

Possibly more gorgeous than the superb fairywren if that is possible, this species is more a dry country bird, but residents of Perth are lucky enough to have it as a backyard visitor.