Magpies

Magpies. Often thought of as predatory birds who steal shiny objects, destroy songbird populations, and make lots of noise. We’ve had plenty around this year, taking the garden over with their raucous chatter. Although much of the noise was the juveniles trying to coax parents to feed them, they do provide an early warning system for other birds, shrieking when they spot cats and birds of prey.

Shiny Objects

Magpies are members of the crow family, and as with other members, they are intelligent. Until sometime around mid-1800, farmers welcomed magpies. They protected crops by feeding on harmful insects and small mammals. Then in the early 1800s, a pair of French playwrights wrote a piece about a servant who was condemned to death for stealing silverware from her master. She is spared when someone finds that it was a pet magpie who had taken the silver. Rossini took the words and created an opera around them. And so public opinion towards magpies began to slide.

A study conducted by an Exeter University team in 2014 investigated the perception that magpies are drawn to shiny objects by running tests with groups of magpies. Their conclusion? There was no evidence that magpies had any preference for shiny objects, other than possible curiosity as to the nature of the item. Indeed, many of the birds were cautious around new objects, including the shiny ones.

Magpies and Songbirds

There’s no denying that magpies take birds’ eggs and young as part of their diet. People sometimes blame this behaviour for the decline in songbird numbers. However, research commissioned by the RSPB looked over 35 years of bird monitoring records, and found no link between magpie numbers and songbird decline. Instead, loss of habitat is the main factor pushing songbird numbers down. Intensive farming, pesticide use, and housing developments are key contributors to the destruction of food supplies and nest sites.

The fact that we see more behaviours which we object to says much about human encroachment into natural habitats, and the original residents having to adapt to live around us. And whatever and however they eat, magpies are fulfilling one of the most basic instincts … survival.

Magpie Facts

Magpies are thought to be one of the most intelligent birds. In fact, they are considered one of the most intelligent animals. Magpies are one of very few creatures to pass the ‘mirror test’. That is, they recognise a reflection as being their own. Only humans outmatch the magpie’s brain to body mass ratio. Of course, brain to body mass is nothing without sensible application (I’m looking more towards humans than corvids here).

Magpies mate for life, and are fiercely protective of their nest site and their young. This accounts for some of the raucous noise in late spring with nestlings demanding their feed. Parents use magpie made utensils to cut food into manageable sizes if needed. In early summer, when the young have fledged and travel in a group with their parents and other magpie families, the volume increases several notches. While they protect their nest site from one and other, magpies are nevertheless bonded as a species. If a magpie dies, others gather around the body and squawk, mourning for the departed.

Magpies are accomplished at picking up human speech. I have personal experience of their incredible mimicry ability. One which lived with us at home years ago used to detail the local trains during the day, having heard the platform announcements from across the dell. It would also greet us with a cheery ‘good morning’ every day.

Whatever your opinion about magpies, we can surely agree on one thing. They really are beautiful birds.