To feed Australian magpies, offer natural foods like insects (mealworms, crickets, curl grubs) and small invertebrates, or supplement with high-quality, meat-based dog/cat food and calcium, avoiding bread and salty processed meats; the goal is to mimic their varied insect/small animal diet without causing nutritional issues like calcium deficiency, which is common with just mince.
You should not feed magpies bread, minced meat, cheese, or processed foods, as these cause severe nutritional deficiencies, especially calcium, leading to weak bones and deformities in chicks, and can expose them to parasites. Avoid sugary, salty items, dairy, avocado, onions, and garlic, which are toxic or indigestible; instead, offer insects, worms, or fortified dog/cat food in moderation.
Eurasian Magpies are omnivores and opportunistic feeders. In many situations, insects—and in particular, beetles—are their main food source.
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.
Many may feel tempted to feed their feathered friends but is it actually OK to do so? The NSW government says that as a blanket rule it is not OK to feed wildlife but one passionate bird expert is of a different belief.
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. One way to feed magpies and complete a fun little project at the same time is by building a foraging tray.
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.
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.
✅ High-quality dog or cat food (meat-based, not grain-heavy) – If you're out of other options, a little wet or soaked dry pet food can work. ✅ Unsalted nuts and seeds – Good for variety, but shouldn't be their main food source.
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?”
Bird Vet - Magpie Diet
2 eggs scrambled . MIX WELL TOGETHER - Place good handful of mix into small freezer bag...and repeat to you have a collection of little food parcels then freeze them.
While some cultures view a magpie as a bad omen, others see them as a sign of good luck and heralding good fortune. As with most superstitions, there is a little bit of truth hidden in these stories, but these are more related to the “fear of the unknown” than the birds themselves.
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.
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.
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.
They can also eat pieces of bananas and stone fruit, but make sure to remove the peel and stones. Never feed birds avocado, citrus, onions or garlic – these foods are toxic for birds. Tips: fresh produce spoils quickly and should be discarded within half a day.
For Kookaburras, Magpies, Currawongs and Butcher Birds -
These birds mostly eat meat, not beef or mince, but whole spiders, mice and cockroaches. Their diet is the whole animal, including fur, bones and organs rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre, all essential for healthy growth.
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.
Other bird seed alternatives to offer to birds include fruit and vegetable seeds, dried fruits, peanut butter and/or jelly, apples, pears, nuts, and unbuttered popcorn.
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.
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.
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.
In particular, the magpie is associated with omens, prophecy and divination. When magpie comes into your life, it might be time to start strengthening these aspects in your spiritual life, or alternatively it might be time to start paying attention to the omens, dreams and hunches you might be getting.
Walk away (and make eye-contact)
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.
It will start showing you different behavior, which is evidence the magpie loves you. You might see it standing across you or hovering just over your head. If it is familiar to you, it might use vocalization, trilling, or making other soft calls to express its opinion.