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.
They mate for life
These extremely loyal birds are with their partners until death do they part. On the off chance the male magpie passes away before the female, the female will take on another male partner who will help her raise and protect her young.
Bird Sadness and Grieving
Certain birds—jay birds, pigeons, and ospreys—will remain near where their baby died for long periods of time. Others—magpies and crows—hold “funerals” for their dead, walking in circles together around the fallen bird for several minutes.
In 2009, a researcher from the University of Colorado published detailed observations of four magpies at a funeral alongside the corpse of a fifth bird, and concluded that the birds were displaying humanlike emotions.
Mate for life, but they're adaptable — if a male magpie dies, his place will quickly be taken by another male, who will raise the chicks as his own.
Interesting fact: It's true, magpies remember your face. They have excellent recall for faces and very long memories. So, if you've been swooped before, or even if you just look like someone they swooped last year, you're likely to get the same treatment again.
Magpies will often mate for life. However, if a male is killed while the young are in the nest, the female will take a new partner. He'll help protect the young even though he's not genetically related to them.
Australian Magpies are strongly territorial and defend their territories both from other magpies as well as potential predators. Unfortunately, some individual magpies perceive humans as a potential threat and accordingly, swoop down with a fast warning flight, occasionally making contact.
Birds exhibit behavior that can be similar to grief or mourning after losing a chick, flockmate, or mate. However, many will agree that this is not the same as the human understanding of “grief.” While some birds, like jays and crows, do perform rituals when they die, they do not exhibit long-term behavioral changes.
Magpies have excellent memories and are believed to be able to distinguish between people and so can identify unknown individuals whom they perceive as intruders. They may focus their attacks on particular individuals, types of clothing, age or gender.
However, as the well-known rhyme shows, it is generally only seeing a lone magpie that is supposed to bring bad luck. We're not entirely sure why this is but we do know that magpies often mate for life so seeing a single magpie may mean it has lost its mate and therefore the chance of it bringing bad luck is higher.
According to another a study published in the journal Animal Behaviour, ravens which include crows, jays and magpies, have the ability to 'hold grudges' for up to two years.
Deterrents for magpies
Half-full plastic bottles or CDs hung up in trees to scare the predators away. Magpies don't like the way light reflects from the surface. GuardnEyes scarecrow balloon, available from Dazer UK.
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.
An old British rhyme predicts a person's fate on the basis of the number of magpies they've seen: “One for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a funeral, and four for birth.” Some say that if you fail to salute a magpie you've walked past, bad luck waits patiently behind the next corner.
The months following fledging are a dangerous time for young magpies, with a high percentage failing to make it through the first year. If the young birds survive to breed, their average life expectancy is around three years. Some live much longer than this, with the oldest recorded being more than 21 years old.
Just like humans, they'll need extra support. Providing comfort to a grieving bird involves making sure they eat and drink normally, and talking in a gentle voice. Make sure their cage is in a safe, comfortable area and spend more time with them socially.
So birds certainly possess the capacity to mourn—they have the same brain areas, hormones, and neurotransmitters as we do, “so they too can feel what we feel,” Marzluff says—but that doesn't mean we know when it's happening.
Let's let John Marzluff, noted corvid researcher at the University of Washington, have the last word: "Birds certainly possess the capacity to mourn — they have the same brain areas, hormones and neurotransmitters as we do, they can feel what we feel"— but that doesn't mean we know when it's happening.
Befriending a magpie
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.
Even in urban environments, seeing a Magpie is an omen of good fortune. If you have had plans on hold, sighting a Magpie means you've got the Universe's approval; now's the time to move ahead.
Magpies can also be taught to speak. They hide food and can relocate hidden food with incredible accuracy." With regard to their intelligence, magpies are very much like fellow corvids – jays, rooks, ravens and crows, says Walt Koenig, a senior scientist with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
What Is A Group of Magpies Called? There are many collective nouns for magpies, but perhaps the most common names for a group of magpies are a conventicle, gulp, mischief, tidings or tribe of magpies[i].
They love to chow down on small lizards, worms, frogs, and grain. These birds also enjoy eating scarab beetles, which is great news for your lawn. Magpies like to forage, which is why you'll often see them pecking at the dirt, looking for food.
Family life
Being territorial birds, up to 10 magpies will sometimes group together in a 'tribe' to defend their home. However, most territories are 'owned' by a male and female pair.