No, you generally cannot own an Australian Magpie as a pet because they are native protected wildlife, and it's illegal to take them from the wild; while some specific native birds can be kept with licenses, magpies require specialized licenses in some states (like QLD) but are best left wild, as they form strong bonds and can be aggressive (swooping) during breeding season, and taking them from nature disrupts their crucial role in ecosystems, according to NSW Environment and Heritage and WIRES.
Australian Magpies are protected as are all native species and they belong to the same family as Butcherbirds and Currawongs.
Why magpies cannot live in captivity. The magpie is a native Australian species that can live for up to 30 years and cannot, by law, live in captivity as a domestic animal. Only those who have training to care for wild animals can do so in certain circumstances.
In Australia, you can own many popular pet birds like Budgies, Cockatiels, Galahs, Canaries, and Doves, but keeping native Australian birds often requires a specific wildlife license, with some common species (like Budgies, Cockatiels, Finches, and Rosellas) needing no license if captive bred, while others (like Kookaburras, Lorikeets, or some Parrots) require basic or advanced permits, varying by state. Always check your state's laws, but common non-native birds like Canaries and Java Sparrows are generally fine, while natives usually need a license, though exceptions exist for popular small birds like Finches and Budgies.
And since magpies can live between 25 and 30 years and are territorial, they can develop lifelong friendships with humans. This bond can extend to trusting certain people around their offspring.
If you spot a lone magpie and fear it might bring bad luck, there are several things you can do to ward off misfortune: Salute the magpie. Say, “Good morning, General” or “Good morning, Captain.” Greet it with, “Good morning, Mr Magpie, how is your lady wife today?”
The Rewards. Those who have successfully built a relationship with magpies often speak of the joy and insights it brings. From the magpie's intricate songs to the little “gifts” they sometimes bring, these interactions offer a rare glimpse into the wild world.
The bird that goes "woop woop woop" in Australia is the Pheasant Coucal, a large, ground-dwelling cuckoo known for its distinctive, resonant, bubbling call that sounds like "oop-oop-oop-opp" or "whoop-whoop-whoop," often heard morning and night, and sometimes mistaken for rain.
Here are the top 10 pet bird species that make great companions, along with tips for selecting the right one for you.
Australia is home to a large variety of plants, birds, reptiles and iconic animals such as kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, wallabies and more. But not all can live up to the title of the world's most loveable and happiest animal quite like Western Australia's famous quokkas.
You may have done this 'successfully', had one as a pet that 'did fine', or think the law is dumb, but it is still illegal regardless. Information for those wishing to learn the difference between nestlings and fledglings, and when to intervene or not (if concerned about safety or injuries).
Magpies can also be a little timid and prefer not to approach strangers. However, you could tame it when you remain gentle and kind.
Their lifespan is unknown, but some have lived up to 30 years. Where do they live? Magpies adapt well to open, cleared environments and thrive in locations that have a combination of large tracts of lawn for foraging, scattered trees for nesting and protection, and water.
For most of the year, Magpies are friendly and sociable, and may even venture into your house to beg for food.
In Australia, you can own various exotic pets like Bearded Dragons, Geckos, Axolotls, Corn Snakes, Cockatiels, Guinea Pigs, and Ferrets, but laws vary by state, requiring licenses for natives (like Sugar Gliders) and specific permits for many non-natives (like Ball Pythons), with strict bans on imports for many vertebrates and some popular exotics like Hedgehogs. Always check your state's environmental department and the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for legal requirements and import conditions before getting any exotic pet.
For apartment dwellers, these benefits are especially precious because pets create warmth and life in smaller, quieter spaces.
Budgies, also known as budgerigars and parakeets, are a very popular pet bird. They are a great choice for new bird owners or families with children. They are small, quiet, friendly and easy to care for. They are also more affordable than other pet birds.
5 Friendliest Birds for First-Time Owners
Here are 10 human-friendly birds known for their gentle nature, playfulness, and ability to bond with people.
Casuarius casuarius johnsonii. Southern Cassowary 🪶 Dubbed as the world's most dangerous bird, the Southern Cassowary has a vivid blue neck and striking long red wattles. If they feel threatened this flightless bird can deliver a powerful kick strong enough to break bones.
Australia's rarest bird is often cited as the Mukarrthippi Grasswren, with potentially only a handful of individuals left in New South Wales, though the elusive Night Parrot and Red Goshawk are also contenders for the title, each with critically low numbers and facing high extinction risks. The Mukarrthippi grasswren has a very low known population (4-20) in a tiny area, while the Night Parrot population is estimated around 10-20 at Pullen Pullen Reserve, and the Red Goshawk is Australia's rarest bird of prey, with its range significantly reduced.
The laughing kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae. A kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae, which is common in eastern Australia and well known for its laughing call; also called laughing jackass.
Magpies have also been noted to mimic human speech, when living in close proximity to humans. When alone, a magpie will make a quiet, musical warbling noise, which does not carry for long distances.
If you have magpies around your home or neighbourhood that you would like to befriend, the first step is to let them see your face from a distance, trying to make eye contact with the bird. Gisela says you could also try and temp them with a little magpie-friendly food to show you aren't a threat.
They are unlikely to be accepted by wild magpies and have little chance of pair bonding and raising their own families. Magpies must not be converted into pets. It is illegal to take animals from the wild and keep them in captivity.