Caring for a magpie means prioritizing professional wildlife rescue for injured or orphaned birds, as they need specialized care to return to the wild and shouldn't be kept as pets. For temporary, emergency care, keep them in a quiet, dark, warm, ventilated box, feeding them appropriate food like insects or meat (not human food) and providing water, but always contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or avian vet immediately for expert guidance. For fledglings, watch from a distance to see if parents are present, as they often just need space to learn to fly.
It is very important that it is kept in a dark, quiet place, away from children and family pets. If it is an adult or juvenile bird put it in a medium sized box or cage so that it cannot flap its wings.
Magpies and other corvids are not pets and should not be treated as such, they are wild animals and too intelligent to be adequately cared for by the average person. They deserve a level of respect and independence that goes above what most people give their pets.
To feed magpies, offer insects (mealworms, crickets) or quality dry dog/cat food as a safe treat, but avoid bread, cheese, and fatty raw mince which cause severe health issues like weak bones in chicks.
Food! Bird safe peanuts are usually a good way to gain trust, avoid processed food, salt and dairy. Our local magpies quite like mealworms and sit at the windowsill if I haven't thrown them out. Feed them, make it a regular thing that you do at the same time then they'll associate you with good things.
Did you know magpies can form friendships with humans? They remember faces and can be surprisingly friendly!
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?”
Giving magpies chocolate should be avoided at all costs, as it contains a dangerous substance called theobromine, which can be toxic to many animals, including magpies. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death in these birds.
Yes, magpies absolutely remember people who feed them, recognizing individual faces and associating them with positive experiences, which can lead to them becoming friendly and even waiting for you, while also remembering negative encounters like threats or cruelty for years. They can form strong bonds, with some people even hand-feeding them or having them approach to preen their hair, making them less likely to swoop during breeding season if treated well.
Eurasian Magpies are omnivores and opportunistic feeders. In many situations, insects—and in particular, beetles—are their main food source.
Many Australians report magpies singing while perched nearby or following them. This behaviour isn't random; it's a sign of recognition and possibly even affection.
5 Friendliest Pet Birds
Juvenile magpies are usually able feed themselves by 6 months old. If the juvenile magpies stay in the nest for too long, the parents will kick them out of the nest to start a new family. Magpies live for around 25 years, although some have been known to live up to 30 years.
And provide water! Magpies LOVE swimming and splashing in water in a place they feel safe. Providing water is great way to introduce yourself as friend instead of foe and better than food. IMO mince isn't good for them, it can cause beak rot .
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.
Weirdly, magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them, so lock eyes with them and stare them down until you're out of sight. If they start acting hostile, try to stay calm. Arm-waving or other erratic behaviour will come off as an attack, and the magpie might get more aggressive.
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.
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.
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.
Human food is not natural for magpies and can make them sick. A natural diet for these birds consists of insects and small animals such as lizards and mice.
They can make wonderful pets, but cats roaming outdoors kill approximately 2.4 billion birds every year in the U.S., making cat predation by far the largest human-caused source of bird mortality.
Visual deterrents like realistic owl decoys, reflective bird diverters, or holographic strips can startle and confuse magpies. Move decoys regularly so magpies don't get used to them.
The most common Magpie superstition is the bad luck of seeing a Magpie alone. Magpie rhyme: 'One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for secrets to never be told. '
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.
There's one thing you need to make the magpie friendly to you: time. Unlike pets, which will run to you if you call them, they are not and have poor eyesight. The best signal to attract them is the absence of an active signal – calmness and silence.