Australian magpies are exceptionally intelligent birds, ranking among the smartest globally, possessing large brains relative to body size, demonstrating complex problem-solving, tool use (like sticks for food), and impressive memory, including recognizing up to 30 human faces and holding long grudges. Their smarts stem from social learning, especially in larger groups, enabling adaptability through abilities like associative and reversal learning, crucial for thriving in varied environments.
The poor bird's name is loaded with mythical connotation, but the magpie's true marvel comes from its natural ability. The common magpie is one of the most intelligent birds—and one of the most intelligent animals to exist.
Recent research has shown they are among the smartest of birds, including demonstrating a remarkable capacity to get tracking devices off fellow members of their species. That achievement doesn't just demonstrate brains – it also shows how sociable magpies are, including admirable altruism.
Magpie Intelligence: One of the Smartest Birds in the World
Australian magpies are incredibly intelligent—in fact, they are considered among the smartest birds on the planet. Their brains are proportionally as large as those of primates, and they have exceptional problem-solving skills.
“Magpies recognise and remember faces and assess the risk any human might be to them and their nest. When magpies see helmets, hats, sunglasses, or umbrellas, they cannot identify the features of a person's face and hence won't be able to remember that person.
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?”
Australian magpies generally live to around 25 years of age, though ages of up to 30 years have been recorded. The reported age of first breeding has varied according to area, but the average is between three and five years.
Over 80% of all successfully breeding magpies live near human houses, which means the vast majority of people, in fact, never get swooped. And since magpies can live between 25 and 30 years and are territorial, they can develop lifelong friendships with humans.
Parrots and the corvid family of crows, ravens, and jays are considered the most intelligent of birds. Research has shown that these species tend to have the largest high vocal centers.
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.
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 of magpies is most commonly called a mischief, a tiding, or a charm, but other fun names include a conventicle, congregation, or even a tribe. These diverse terms reflect the birds' often busy and social nature, with "mischief" possibly alluding to their clever, sometimes thieving behavior.
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.
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.
Chimpanzees. If you've ever wondered what is the smartest animal with the highest IQ, chimpanzees are your answer. The smartest animal in the world happens to also be our closest living relative.
Like other members of their family, they are widely considered to be intelligent creatures. The Eurasian magpie, for instance, is thought to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures, and is one of the few nonmammalian species able to recognize itself in a mirror test.
Magpies are in the same family as crows, jays, and ravens: Corvidae, known commonly as 'Corvids. ' Bird species in this family are known for their exceptional intelligence, and watching a magpie can illuminate this. Black-billed magpie fledgling in care at AIWC (2022). Magpies are highly social birds and mate for life.
The black-capped chickadee, seen here, is well known for its strong episodic memory. Tiny, black-capped chickadees have big memories. They stash food in hundreds to thousands of different locations in the wild – and then come back to these stashes when other food sources are low.
According to Google, the shoebill bird has a negative IQ. . . . . It's also known as the "silly bird" or "stupid bird". The shoebill is 6 feet tall and is known for its unusual appearance and behavior.
If you wave your arms about or shout, the magpies will see you as a threat to the nest. Remember, they have the ability to remember and recognise you next time, so you don't want to get in their bad books!
Magpies feel grief and even hold funeral-type gatherings for their fallen friends and lay grass “wreaths” beside their bodies, an animal behaviour expert has claimed. Dr Bekoff, of the University of Colorado, said these rituals prove that magpies, usually seen as an aggressive predator, also have a compassionate side.
Baby magpies leave the nest before their tail feathers have grown. They live on the ground and are fed and protected (often by swooping) by the parents during the day and are hidden in undergrowth overnight. Members of the public sometimes confuse this act of nature with magpie babies being deserted or in distress.
Magpies love:
Open woodlands with tall trees but no understory. Big, old trees which give them somewhere safe to build their nests and sleep at night.
Magpies forage on the ground, turning over loose material, as they search for a range of insects, worms, spiders, lizards, mice and seeds. A favourite food is the scarab beetle which does so much damage to lawns. Magpies live in territorial groups.
😉 Juvenile magpies (less than 1 year old) have an all black beak. Immature magpies (1-2 years old) have a black beak, that is going silver in patches. Adult magpies (2+ years) have silver beaks, with a black tip. Now you know how to tell the (approximate) age of these beautiful birds!