It certainly wasn't two for joy when a young boy was swooped on by a couple of ferocious magpies.
Shade O'Meley was cycling along peacefully near his home on the Gold Coast in Australia when suddenly he came under attack.
A couple of hefty black and white birds swooped down at the young bog, ferociously pecking at his helmet covered head.
With each dive down the boy screams louder, enduring the wrath of the feathered foes as they attempted to flush him from their territory.
Speaking to 9 News Queensland following the traumatic ordeal, Shade said: "They were vicious."
His little sister Tilly added: "You see the shadow and then it just freaks you out."
While he had to endure the scary attack, Shade can count himself as one of the lucky ones.
A 76-year-old cyclist lost his life earlier this month after a magpie swooped down as he pedaled, causing him to veer into a park fence.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the pensioner died later that day in hospital.
Although they share the same name, the Australian magpie is a different species from the European counterpart, which inspired the famous 'one for sorrow, two for joy' counting song.
Come the mating season the Australian bird can become aggressive and attack humans crossing its territory.
The problem has reached such an unpleasant peak in the Southern Hemisphere country that a public database has been set up to record swoop attacks.
A map of Australia produced by Magpie Alert shows a high density of attacks in the south east and east of the country, where the majority of the population lives.
A great cluster of red magpie icons over New South Wales indicates how many people there have been injured by the savage birds.
In 2019 alone, 2,495 attacks were recorded across the country with 310 injuries caused.
Former victims have taken to the page to offer advice to those scared they could be next in line for a pecking.
Gazza wrote: "One thing that has helped me with a warning of a magpie present is that on a clear day you can see its reflection on the road surface which can be invaluable as it can buy you some time that's if it does decide to swoop.
"It may just give you that one vital second or two to see the sign and take cover."
Chris suggested a wardrobe adjustment.
He said: "From filming several attacks last year with a GoPro on my helmet pointing backwards, most magpies came in fast from behind and slightly to one side, aiming for one of my ears.
"So this year I've re-positioned the zipties on either side, pointing backwards, with the flashing lights as low as possible.
"These are push to operate, so when entering a known swooping area, I can reach up and turn them on.
"It seems to be working. I was swooped this morning, but the magpie veered off and gave up."
Anderson suggested laying down distracting bait.
"If you frequent an area where you get swooped take a handful of small dog or cat biscuits and scatter them as you go past," he suggested.
"If the magpies recognise you as a food source you will not be treated as a threat.
"They are extremely smart and do recognise individuals in their area so a peace offering of food works well."
