Wild Australian magpies are inquisitive, wise, friendly, and fun to interact with. Like most creatures, they are usually respectful to you, if you are respectful of them.
But, they do swoop!
Swooping means they attack humans, other animals, cars, etc., causing about a thousand human injuries in Australia each spring. See:
https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/how-survive-magpie-swooping-season
They swoop if they perceive their nestlings are in danger….
or maybe, if they are having an irritating day.
Like all corvids, they have excellent memories and hold grudges, so if you bothered a corvid in the past, you better steer clear during swooping season, or else be ready to duck down really fast!
Cheers to you from Australia’s marvelous-memoried, moody-magpies~
Definitely a bird with attitude. 🙂
And a beak to carry through! (◐⊝◑)
I wouldn’t want that sharp heavy beak swooping in on me.
It would not be fun at all! (◐⊝◑)
That’s a fierce looking beak on that bad boy.
And with those red eyes, they are perfect for Halloween, even though they usually very well mannered birds! (◐⊝◑)
I would not take on that beak!
Nope neither would I. Ravens are the same in beaks & memory! (◐⊝◑)
Gee, I hope you weren’t there in spring! I can imagine those sharp beaks would hurt!
Nope, I like birds, so I visit in winter! დ
We have lots of Australian Magpies (introduced here in New Zealand in the 1800s). Our dog (springer spaniel) saw magpies swooping on our cat. The dog has never forgiven the magpies and spends all day chasing them away! Wonderful photographs as always Cindy.
That sounds incredibly entertaining, except of course for the cat! (◐⊝◑)
Like you, I love wildlife, but I also give them space and not engage. That said, I’d love to befriend a corvid! 🙂
Talk to them, look at them and offer some bird seed. Ravens and crows are corvids too and have the same amazing memories, both for people who are nice to them, and people who are aggressive to them. I have had magpies bring me gifts which really felt like such an honor დ
That is so cute! What types of gifts do wild birds give to humans?
Shiny objects, bits of twigs and twine, plastic. Whatever they find that appeals to their sense of artistry (◐⊝◑)
Awe, too cute☺️ What’s up with your thing with the circle and dash?
Just a fun emoji bird face…
Great closeups of the corvids. Cheers to you, too. Have a lovely day. xo
Visa versa 2UX2! (◐⊝◑)
Ooh. But I bet they recognise you as a friend and don’t swoop. They jolly well shouldn’t!
I fed them seeds to get on their good side!!! (◐⊝◑)
Sensible woman!
Takes one to know one დ დ
😉
they remind me of our crows and or ravens…=^_^= waves and sends you a big virtual hug.
They are all the same family, smart birds with excellent memories who remember their friends and their enemies! Hugs back to you (◐⊝◑)
In Brisbane we have street signs to tell pedestrians were to avoid.
Smart idea (◐⊝◑)
Beware of the swooping Australian magpie, especially on Halloween Day. It looks like a very intelligent bird, Cindy.
They are intelligent and remember people who are naughty or nice! (◐⊝◑)
Haha! I like those birds.
So glad you do & cheers to you Peter (◐⊝◑)
These swoops have the best song.
Alison
They do. It is like Buddhist bells. Ethereal.
Yes!
That’s intimidating!
Good to know it’s the humans who have to learn to get on with the birds. 🙂
Often, the ball is in our court, and it behooves us to play it well with other creatures! დ
Bah, these birds look totally and completely innocent! 😉
Unless they swoop down at your head unexpectedly from the sky!! (◐⊝◑)
We have a lot of Magpies in our Domaine but they’re much smaller than their Aussie cousins. I have never managed to photo one, yours are fantastic.
Awww, thank you Sheree. I only get to see magpies when I travel, so it is always a treat! დ
Attitude, confident bird and beautiful
Yes, I respect the confident, intelligent, attitude!
It’s fascinating how different they are to British magpies!
I have photographed magpies in London and Ireland. In Ireland they were flying up high and breaking clam shells with rocks they dropped. In London they were laboriously teasing fox kits who were stalking them in a walled garden. Precious! დ
😜🎃🎃🎃🤟
(◐⊝◑)
Good shots. We can’t get near our magpies
Is there any other explanation for why they are aggressive in the spring, besides defending their territories? Attacking a car seems logical because people come out of it.
Ours in England just fly away at the sight of us
I photographed them teasing fox kits in London. They were people wise and very funny! (◐⊝◑)
Research demonstrates that only 1 in 20 magpies attack. It is postulated that something bad was done to the attacker birds that caused them to become hyper aggressive. They will often go after children, and it is thought that children may be more likely as a group to pester magpies, throwing stones, bothering nests, etc. Magpies can remember over a hundred human faces. Here is a link if you want to read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/when-magpies-attack-the-swooping-dive-bombing-menace-and-how-to-avoid-them
👍
I had seen the North American version but never heard of swooping. On to Google: Very interesting bird; said to swoop mainly while chicks are in the nest in a range of about 50 feet and most references were to Austalia.
Yes, and only approximately one in twenty Australian magpies are aggressive and attack during nesting season. It is thought by ornithologists that the aggressive birds had a prior negative experience with humans.
An interesting point Cindy, my mom has a family of them in her yard and because she gives them a bit of food occasionally (when she gardens they sit beside her and grab the odd worm she digs up), must make her part of their family I suppose. And they never attack her when they have a nest of young ones in the yard 😀
But if your someone from outside…look out. I have had blood drawn from a nasty beak gash from other nesting parents in different parts of town. And there is no warning until they are right on top of you, the snap, snap of their beaks as they are ‘swooping’ and lining you up. This can also be referred to as ‘dive bombing’ 😀
The poor postman, and many others, have cable ties through their motorbike and bike helmets sticking up like some alien creature to stop them getting that close that they can cause an injury (Look up ‘magpie helmets Australia’ in Google then click images at the top) 😂 🤣
I like your mom! I have seen those helmets and visors. Smart to wear them. We visited Harrier Hawk nesting sites in Argentina. We were warned they were formidable and would strafe us. They did, and they were formidable. We were forewarned and knew to expect this so it was exhilarating, but an unprovoked surprise attack by any bird would be dangerous and scary. You might find this article interesting: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/when-magpies-attack-the-swooping-dive-bombing-menace-and-how-to-avoid-them
What glorious birds! The article you linked to was also very interesting: “The best antidote to swooping is friendship. Magpies have excellent memories and can recognise individual faces. So if you frequent an area enough, they may recognise you as the friendly neighbourhood human and won’t swoop.
But beware: “Magpies form memories of enemies as well as of friends,” says Kaplan. Those who antagonise a magpie—for example by swinging at them with an umbrella—will be perceived as threats and will be treated as such. So be kind, and magpies will be kind in return.” The article also emphasized their intelligence and playfulness (when not guarding their nests…) “They enjoy sunbathing, play-fighting, frolicking in sprinklers, and swinging on washing lines. They even appear to quardle-oodle-ardle just for the fun of it, like humming in humans.” Thank you for another delightful blog post.
You picked out all the most important parts! Do unto others applies to wildlife too! Thank you Will (◐⊝◑)
They’re very attractive birds, but the beak does look very sharp!
Yes, it is a formidable weapon flying at you unaware!
It reminds me of why “The Birds” was such a terrifying movie!
Yes! The ravens in the movies are corvids like the magpies! (◐⊝◑)
:O
The Australian magpies are very pretty. 🙂
They are also friendly and interactive if you stay away from their nests (◐⊝◑)
I have not known that birds can hold grudges. They have very good memories indeed. I now have different perspective to any birds now.
They look intelligent but also could be dangerous too if you mess with them.
Scientists are finally studying bird brains and behavior, and they are finding a formidable intelligence behind those birdie eyes! (◐⊝◑)
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of Australian Magpies by Cindy Knoke.
The magpies and I are so grateful for your friendship Patricia (◐⊝◑)
Thanks for the fun backstory Cindy. The perfect bird to celebrate or maybe the ravens too. Happy Haunting and Swooping! 🧙♀️🎃
Love it that you are in the spooky-swoopy spirit Brad (◐⊝◑)
👻
Excellent pictures again, Cindy. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you more for appreciating them Pit & cheers to you (◐⊝◑)
MAGnificent pics to occuPIE my thoughts. They look like the Lord of the wings!
♡♡ ξ(｡◕ˇ◊ˇ◕｡)ξ ♡♡
Oh I wish I titled this post, “Lord of the Wings!” You clever person you! (◐⊝◑)
You can do it in your next post, my friend!
(=^･ｪ･^=))ﾉ彡
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You always get the most excellent photos Cindy.
Leslie xoxo
Awwww, thank you Leslie (◐⊝◑)
Ooo – Magpies scare me. I had a friend in boarding school – just outside Mittagong, NSW – who was viciously attacked by a Magpie,, and she ended up in hospital with multiple scalp lacerations and a concussion. Very scary birds – and if they take a disliking to you, they will come after you again. An aggressive bird with a memory for faces, is a frightening thing.
I am sorry for your friend. How seriously traumatic for her, especially as a child. Researchers found that only 1 in 20 magpies attack. The one’s that attack are thought to be reacting to prior negative experiences with humans. They do tend to go after children. Researchers think this may be because some children tend to pester them, throwing rocks etc. The good thing is they remember acts of kindness as well as acts of aggression. Magpie populations in Australia are declining. I have a physician friend who was attacked twice by hawks on his property and made the national news for it each time. He walked under their nest. The first time was a mistake, the second time is harder to understand. დ
Here is a link you might find interesting about how to avoid attack: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/when-magpies-attack-the-swooping-dive-bombing-menace-and-how-to-avoid-them
Gorgeous birds and thanks for the warning. 🙂
People who take warnings like this to heart are the ones who never need to. You would never do a mean thing to a corvid, so they may just bring you a treat! (◐⊝◑)
When I return in another life I shall hope to be a corvid. Smart as a human but with wings.
I love the way you think! (◐⊝◑)
I wish I could swoop, too, when I’m having a bad day!! Love that they’ve got such good memories (of course, I’ve never bothered one, so perhaps they wouldn’t swoop me, ha!)
Ravens and crows are the same. They remember people who have done a bad thing to them for years. Since you’ve been nice to them, they may bring you a treat for Halloween (◐⊝◑)
Interesting Hallowe’en post, Cindy!
The cute little Corvids swoop.
The ugly Covid has swooped & continues swooping. Very, very scary post! OMG!
❦👻❦☠️❦😈❦👻❦☠️❦😈❦👻❦☠️❦😈❦👻❦☠️❦😈❦👻❦☠️❦😈
Better watch out. Spooky swoopers may be bent on tricks, but, if you are nice to them, they may bring you a treat! (◐⊝◑)
I like treats! ❦👻❦☠️❦😈❦👻❦☠️❦😈
Cindy, thank you for these striking photographs!
Thank you & Happy Halloween Charles! I hope it is spooky enough for you (◐⊝◑)
They do look menacing. Interesting info, thanks!
So pleased you find them interesting. I enjoy interacting with them (◐⊝◑)
We like to watch them playing, like when they’re hopping around like little children. One of our favourite birdies👻Extra Spooky Pawkisses for a Happy Halloween, Cindy👻🐾😽💞
I <3 people who <3 magpies, and CATS!! (◐⊝◑)
I tip my hat to Mr Magpie and the family!
They will remember this!! 😉
Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
Thanks much Ed & cheers to you!
Handsome bird!
Thank you! I think so too (◐⊝◑)
LOL, the look in those eyes — I can believe they hold a grudge. 😉 Hugs on the wing!
They see red! (◐⊝◑)
You’ve captured the expressive faces so well. Bootiful!
Thanks my friend & hope you are feeling better დ
Bless yers, my Angel.
Struggling a smidge, but it wouldn’t be the same without it. Hahaha! ♥
Yes. It wouldn’t be the same, but I wish it was better დ
Look at that those red eyes!
Striking aren’t they! (◐⊝◑)
Striking, is right!!
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Gosh, I was about to say how beautiful the swoopers are, but then I read your post and decided they were too much like some people I know so maybe I should rethink their beauty!
I never knew the first thing about them, though…so your post educated me! Thanks, Cindy!
Actually they are wonderful creatures. Their behavior is understandable. The people you know who seemed like them, are more difficult to deal with, but the origins of their difficult behavior is remarkably similar. Cheers & love to you Sheila დ
Point taken, Cindy!
You are a good person Sheila დ
Back at you, Cindy
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Now that is one scary bird!😂
Can be, but also can be very fun to hang out with. (◐⊝◑)
They look divine in their formal wear. I don’t think I’d like to experience the swoop.
The swoop would be an experience to leave off your bucket list. Although I did get strafed by nesting Harrier Hawks in Argentina, I was prepared and it was quire exhilarating! (◐⊝◑)
I’ve had a hawk swoop nearby me, but not at me. It was an elementary school, and the kids had a great time shouting about it.
Exciting, but scary around children. Hawks will defend territory around their nests. დ
It had the habit of sitting on top of the school flagpole. I believe the school was in its way. 🙂
You know there is another funny thing about hawks, which I have noticed since I live around a bunch of them. When not nesting, hawks tend to like children, if they know them, and fly closer to them out of curiosity, or maybe even friendship? I am caring for my twin 24 month old grandsons at The Holler while their parents work remotely at their house. The hawks always fly super close when we go out on our daily walk about, and the twins know the hawks, they shout “hawk, hawk, eeew, eeew, eeew….” And the hawks always call back, eeew, eeew, eeew, and fly even closer. It is kind of thrilling for the boys, the hawks, and me.
Perhaps that’s how hawking began. Some affinity for boys and birds. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing that story.
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I’m not keen on magpies, they attack the baby birds that nest in my parents conifers every year you’d think the blackbirds would resite their nests.
Yes, they do this and it is terrible to watch. Lots of other birds raid nests too. I have to remember that some humans eat veal and lamb, and I only stopped recently doing this recently. დდ
All respect to the Swoopers….and I love their name.
I <3 my friends who <3 swoopers! (◐⊝◑)
Wish the magpies won’t swoop on Tuesday…
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You are back in my reader. Yeah 🙂
Double yay! Wouldn’t want to lose track of you. დ
The eyes go with the beak I say.😐 Both are scary.
Yes. Imagine how scary we appear to them! დ
I’m sure we do.😃
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It looks gorgeous but threatening!
It can be threatening so it need respect and space დ
I believe, it’s common rule for everybody to follow – respect and space, in humane society as well.
Exactly დ
I just read that crows have memories and reasoning power which add to their ability to communicate within a community. I have a feeling that this extends to all of our winged friends including magpies, robins, bluejays, woodpeckers. We really don’t have a full understanding of how advanced they are. We share this earth with amazing creatures. Another wonderful post that celebrates our world. Hugs
Yes we do share this planet with amazing creatures. Birds that cache food like woodpeckers and nuthatches can remember 1000’s of hiding places. Birds are being studied for their awareness of “sense of self in relationship to the world around them.” I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to learn they are more aware than humans! So many other aspects of bird sentience are finally being studied. Bird brains are brilliant brains. დ
Well said!
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Hey Cindy!
I have a new site for those who want to buy ethical products on a budget. Please check it out if you get a chance!
Thanks!
James
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დ
Love this up-close look at the magpie!
So pleased you do & thank you for letting me know დ
Wonderful capture Cyndi!
Grazie mille დ
Cindy your photo’s are amazing and so very inspirational. i had a look at all of them, Yes they will inspire many photographers.
I am so honored and touched by your thoughtful comment. Thank you very much & cheers to you დ
Les corvidés sont des volatiles fascinants.
Doués d’un langage élaboré et varié.
Êtres fascinants que cet article valorise à merveille
Oui! Ce sont des oiseaux très intelligents avec d’excellents souvenirs et ils aiment les gens qui sont gentils avec eux. Ils peuvent même vous apporter des cadeaux! დ
I just saw some Magpies on an animal show…their brains are large in comparison to body size. I wish we had a few here in NJ. I wouldn’t want to be ‘swooped; though. Hmmm…for some reason this just gave me an idea for a blog post. Funny…
I would love to live with magpies. If they like you, they often bring you gifts! დ
Oh dear! Bluejays swoop, too. But, I don’t know if they have a keen memory. Love the photos!
They are intelligent and have excellent grammar! Remember Mark Twain, “There’s more to a bluejay than any other creature. He has got more moods, and more different kinds of feelings than other creatures; and mind you, whatever a bluejay feels, he can put into language. And no mere commonplace language, either, but rattling, out-and-out book talk – and bristling with metaphor, too – just bristling! And as for command of language – why you never see a bluejay get stuck for a word. No man ever did. They just boil out of him! And another thing: I’ve noticed a good deal, and there’s no bird, or cow, or anything that uses as good grammar as a bluejay.” 😉 😉
Cindy, I didn’t know Mark Twain said that. Thank you!
He talked more than jays, about jays! 😉
😀
I remembered that there was an animated cartoon series with magpies, but I couldn’t remember its name. Google just gave me the answer: Heckle And Jeckle.
We named two birds at our rondavel in South Africa Heckle & Jeckle. They moved right in, shared in the meals and never cleaned up!! 😉
I’m glad we don’t have swoopers here. 2020 has enough hurtful things going on!
So true. We don’t need to be swooped right now დ
liebe Cindy, sei herzlichst gegrüßt vom Klaus von der Müritz
Sende Grüße und hoffe, dass du in Sicherheit bist und mein Freund! დ
aaa, so lovely Cindy. And bit different from the Himalayan Magpie who carried aqua on her feathers. She looks actually friendly. Like she know you are there ! Beautiful her and your eye.
Narayan x
Awww, such a thoughtful comment. Thank you Narayan. You are most appreciated and I love your blog and enjoy every visit to it! დ
Glowing red like beet root with such appreciation.
❤️ Cindy. Thank you
Narayan
Narayan
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Gorgeous photos, Cindy. Love our Aussie Magpies.
I love all your Aussie birdies! Lucky you დ
I didn’t know anything about these birds til I saw a youtube video about the juveniles playing: https://youtu.be/yJN5_1tfqXo It makes me smile every time I see it, but I do understand about how dangerous they must be when swooping. Reminds me of how I am wary while wearing my hat in the summer in our garden (yard) in case there’s a Red Kite flying overhead that might take a fancy to it – and then to my head!
Yes. My physician was swooped twice by hawks and injured badly each time. It made the national news. He walked underneath their nest on his property. I get why he did it the first time. Not so sure about the second time. Now he hates hawks. I just suggested not walking under their nest….
Good advice.
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amazing post !!!
hi , so nice to meet you ?
Primi piani eccezionalmente belli. Colori stupendi nelle varie foto.
Cari saluti da Roma, silvia