AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE

The Australian Magpie is a bird that is well-known to most Australians. Many of us wake up to its beautiful song, which includes a wide variety of calls spanning several octaves.

The bird itself is black and white, but the specific plumage pattern varies across its range. In males, the nape, upper tail, and shoulder are white, while in females, they are grey. The rest of the body is black in most parts of Australia. However, in the south-east, centre, extreme south-west, and Tasmania, the back and rump are entirely white, these are called White-backed magpies. Adult magpies have chestnut brown eyes.

Magpies construct their nests relatively high up in trees. These nests have a basket-like structure made of sticks, leaves, and grass. Magpies also incorporate items such as string, rope, wire, and hair that they find useful. They reuse their nests year after year, making repairs as needed each new season.

Breeding season for magpies occurs from June to December. The eggs take approximately 21 days to hatch, and the young birds spend about four weeks in the nest before leaving. The nest is a dangerous place for juvenile birds as it makes them vulnerable to predators. Therefore, parent magpies encourage their young to leave the nest as soon as possible. The fledglings leave the nest before they are able to fly and instead flutter from bush to bush while being fed by their parents.

Magpies are beneficial visitors to gardens as they consume a variety of destructive insects. It’s important to note that spraying insecticides can harm these natural pest controllers, including magpies, over time. Instead of feeding wild birds, it is recommended to provide a bird bath in your garden and regularly change the water to minimize the risk of disease.

Swooping Magpies:

During breeding season, a magpie may engage in swooping behavior to protect its territory and nest. This behavior is exhibited by only some magpies and is often a response to perceived previous intrusions on their territory.

It’s important to understand that magpies are territorial and cannot be relocated. In spring, when they have eggs or young, relocating an adult magpie would leave no parent bird to care for the young, resulting in their starvation. Additionally, another magpie would likely occupy the vacant territory soon after.

To address the issue of swooping magpies, there are several approaches. One option is to avoid the area for the duration of the magpie’s nesting period.

Carrying an open umbrella or wearing a hat can also provide some protection. If possible, using the other side of the road or garden while the magpie is breeding is advisable. It can be an enjoyable experience to observe the young magpies as they learn from their devoted parents.

To alert others in the area about a nesting magpie, consider erecting a sign indicating its presence.