The Australian magpie is native to Australia but can also be found in Southern New Guinea. It was named after the European magpie by early settlers even though it was later proved that the two birds are from different genus. With an adult measuring 37 to 43 cm in length, the Australian magpie is a relatively large bird.
It is one of the country’s best known birds, maybe also due to the fact that it’s the Collingwood AFL team’s mascot?? The Australian magpie has a melodious call and its affinity for eating insects has endeared it to many residents. You can see magpies anywhere from the backyard of a suburban home to the highways in the city centre.
Even for a new resident who has just been granted immigration permission, identifying an Australian magpie is relatively easy. The bird is covered by black and white feathers – black on its head, tail and belly and touches of white on the wings, the back of the head and the lower back. The magpie has a wedge-shaped bluish gray beak. Though relatively similar in appearance, male and female magpies can be told apart from distinct markings that are peculiar to each gender.
Though the magpie can be found in most regions of Australia it prefers open grasslands or human settlements adjoining sparse woodlands. Such areas are ideal for food foraging and simultaneously present prime nesting areas. Magpies build their nests between August and October. The female magpie does most of the work, from looking for a suitable nesting area, constructing the nest, hatching the eggs and feeding the young.
Magpies are social birds and live together in tribes with each tribe controlled by a dominant male and female pair. The tribes typically have more females than males. One of the hall marks of the six week nesting season are the notorious magpie attacks. While magpies may swoop at humans walking close to the nest anytime of the year, they are more aggressive during the nesting season.
The birds perceive persons walking close by as a threat. The attack often starts with a swoop but one that does not involve touching their victim. In case this happens to you, you should walk quickly but carefully from the area and try to warn others around you. If you continue walking towards the nesting area, the magpies will escalate the attack and may claw the back of your head or aggressively poke at your face with their beaks.
But even though magpies can be aggressive, there are laws that prohibit attacking, injuring or killing magpies. If you are applying for immigration to Australia, it is important that you familiarize yourself with laws protecting magpies and the specific steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of attack or to ward off a magpie attack.
The Australian magpie has been featured in a number of creative works including The Magpie (a poem by Denis Glover), the Piping Roller (a work of art by Thomas Watling) and Waddle Giggle Gargle (a children’s book by Pamela Allen).
Back to the Australian animals overview
References:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/TheAustralianMagpie.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Magpie
