The Australian magpie is a highly intelligent and iconic bird native to Australia. It is known for its melodious song and bold behavior. The magpie plays a significant role in Australian culture, often appearing in folklore, art, and sports team mascots.
We have a family of four of these birds that live around our house and they are quite used to being around people. One of them (a female) was initially quite happy for me to stand a couple of metres away and for me to talk to her even though I knew she doesn’t understand English. She would listen with her head at an angle as if she was really paying attention.
One day as I was turning over the soil in my vegie patch to plant some new seedlings, she came and sat by me. Everytime that I unearthed a worm or a grub I would throw it to her and she would eat it quickly and then continue to watch me closely, waiting for more.
Our family of four birds like to perch in a Melaleuca tree that grows near our carport. One day, I had a small piece of bacon left over from cooking and I left it on our patio table. It wasn’t long before one of the birds came down to eat it. After that, the rest of the family flew down to our patio to find more to eat. I’m sure that their carolling call signalled the availability of food.
Magpies are about 40 cm long with a strong black and white pattern . The females have a grey back, rsther thsn the clear white back of the male. Their beak is strong and a blueish-white colour that is ideal for feeding on worms, insects and small animals.They are very smart birds.
These are one of Australia’s most oved song birds. They have a beautiful, warbling call that is usually described as ‘carolling’. Their songs are complex and can last several minutes. During breeding (springtime), males may swoop at people and animals they perceive as threats to their nests. This behavior is infamous but usually lasts only a few weeks. I am assuming that these birds will recognise me and not swoop at me. I have read that while swooping can be quite intimidating, many magpies can become friendly toward people who feed them regularly or treat them kindly. Apparently, they can recognise up to thirty people.
My friendly magpie has now intoduced us to her wider family – one male with a bung leg and three femailes.
Rather than feed them inappropriate food like mince meat, I am giving them some dried meal worms that are readily available in packs at the supermarket. This food simulates thair natuaral diet and I am being careful to only give them a litle so that they do not become dependent on me for food.
After just a few weeks, I now find my adopted family sitting on our patio chairs outside our kitchen window, waiting for me to appear. at breakfass time They are there again late in the afternoon. Slowly, they have become used to me and they will now eat out of my hand. The male bird has a strong peck (doesn’t hurt) but the females are more gentle. All I have to do, is appear at the back door and as soon as they see me from their perch in the tree, I have four birds making a direct beeline to me.
They come back sometimes during the day and I am sure that they are disappointed when I walk past them to do something in the garden or around the house. However, they seem to sit patiently wating for me to produce the blue bag of food. Then, they get excited. Feeding times are only at breakfast and late afternoon.
