A large magpie has had customers and staff in a west Auckland Countdown supermarket in a flap after it decided to spend this morning chilling out in the frozen food section.

The early bird wandered into Countdown when doors opened today, but instead of catching the worm, it apparently took to some customers.

The magpie chose to cool down after the alleged attacks, chilling out on top of the refrigerator.

Customer Helene Millar said she arrived to see staff in the frozen food aisle, with a ladder and a big fleece blanket.

Ms Millar said it wasn't a black and white situation, with the bird causing some chaos.

"It just walked in on it's own, and apparently from what I picked up the bird tried to take to a few customers [then] tried to get out through some closed windows."

She said her friend managed to get the bird out of the Te Atatu South store with a net, amidst concerns staff may have been forced to bring its life to an untimely end tonight if a peaceful resolution couldn't be reached.

A Countdown staffer confirmed the magpie did cause some concern for customers, but was safely removed.