Yes, you can absolutely make friends with Australian magpies, as they are intelligent, curious, and can form long-lasting, face-recognizing bonds with people, often becoming like family pets, especially if you build trust by feeding them (insects/meat) and treating them kindly, leading them to recognize you and even introduce their young. They remember faces for years and will differentiate between kind and threatening individuals, so consistent positive interaction, talking to them, and patience are key to earning their trust and avoiding swooping.
Plus, not all magpies swoop... only a small percentage of males do. Magpies are also highly intelligent, social, and capable of recognizing friendly humans, meaning they can form positive relationships with people.
Try to keep your eyes on the Magpie. They usually attack from behind & they are much less likely to attack if they are being made eye contact with.
But here's how to achieve peace
First of all, at a safe distance, stand your ground. Then, when you can see the magpie, take off your hat and show them your friendly face - keeping your sunglasses on for safety initially. Let them see you, read your good intentions and then move on.
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?”
Magpies don't beat around the bush, so if one doesn't like you, you will know about it. On the other hand, if a magpie is singing near you, making eye contact or following you around on regular walking routes, it's safe to say you've got a friend in that magpie.
Magpies are significantly associated with messages from the spirit world; this bird has insight, transformation, or knowledge attributes. Such visits can help people look for clarity in their lives or adopt a positive attitude toward change.
They remember if you feed them. They also remember if you're cruel to them. Don't be cruel to Magpies ever. The trust magpies have in you is earned slowly.
An uncommon alternative name for the Australian Magpie is Flute Bird. The magpie can mimic over 35 species of native and introduced bird species, as well as other animal calls, such as those of dogs and horses. Magpies have also been noted to mimic human speech, when living in close proximity to humans.
You might recognise the Pheasant Coucal by its distinctive 'oop-oop-oop-opp' call. Sometimes mates will duet, providing a concert that sounds like water bubbling from a big bottle. In winter, its voice is a sharp hissing.
As such, if you'd really like to give the magpies a treat, try collecting bugs and worms from your garden to feed them, or purchase crickets from your local pet store.
A greeting might be something like "Good morning, Mr Magpie, how are Mrs Magpie and all the other little magpies?", and a 19th century version recorded in Shropshire is to say "Devil, Devil, I defy thee! Magpie, magpie, I go by thee!" and to spit on the ground three times.
When magpies have formed an attachment they will often show their trust, for example, by formally introducing their offspring. They may allow their chicks to play near people, not fly away when a resident human is approaching, and actually approach or roost near a human.
For most of the year, Magpies are friendly and sociable, and may even venture into your house to beg for food. But for four to six weeks a year during August to September, the male Magpie will defend his home vigorously.
Surprisingly, yes, one can consider a magpie to be a friend. However, it requires a lot of time and patience. They are not like pets that begin to nuzzle immediately. They are in the wild and, therefore, very shy in who they accept to deal with.
And since magpies can recognise human faces, your kindness will be paid in return by these clever native birds in the future. Studies have shown that magpies have excellent memories and tend not to swoop humans who have previously treated them with respect. 🧡 Yes.
Put a nice big bird bath on the front lawn. They'll love that. Throw some oats on the lawn & carefully give each Magpie 1/2 a peanut each by showing the peanut & throwing carefully in front of each bird. Make eye contact with them & use your best cooing voice.
According to some christian traditions, the magpie is a really bad piece of work. Their traditions (not from the Bible) say that the magpie represents the devil because during the crucifixion of Jesus a dove and a magpie sat on the cross. The dove apparently caught one of Christ's tears but the magpie never.
Magpies can't really smile, but you can tell they are happy. It's the way they walk and ruffle their feathers and look at you.
A group will use carolling as a signal to advertise ownership and warn off other magpies. In the negotiating display, the one or two dominant magpies parade along the border of the defended territory while the rest of the group stand back a little and look on. The leaders may fluff their feathers or caroll repeatedly.