Embedded Files
The Australian Magpie is a medium-sized bird that is native to both Australia and southern New Guinea. The Magpie is well known for its caroling song and tendency to swoop during the springtime nesting season.
Description
Description
Adult magpies grow between 37-43 cm in length with a wingspan of 65-85cm. They have a long pointed beak, short rounded wings, and a long wedge-shaped tail. Magpies have mostly black and white feathers. Males are distinguished by white on the back of their neck, upper tail and shoulders, while females are often grey in these parts. Mapies have a blue-grey beak, black legs and rusty coloured eyes. They have four toes, three facing forward and one backwards.
Habitat
Habitat
Magpies enjoy living wherever there is a combination of trees and adjacent open areas, including parks and playing fields. During the nesting season, some male Magpies are territorial and will swoop to deter perceived predators.
Diet
Diet
Magpies are omnivorous, searching for food on or near the ground. They enjoy eating a range of animals including insects, snails, frogs, cockroaches and mice, along with plants such as grains, figs and nuts. Some Magpies enjoy taking handouts of food from humans and may head into open houses to beg for food.
Significance in Noongar Culture
Significance in Noongar Culture
According to Noongar Dreaming, the sky was once so close to the ground that trees could not grow, people had to crawl and birds could only walk. Through working together, the animals propped up the sky with sticks, but it kept threatening to break and come crashing back down. The Magpies took a long stick in their beaks and pushed it up until the sky sprang into its proper place, revealing the sunrise. The Magpies sing each morning to remind everyone f their important role in creating the sunrise.
The Magpie Call
The Magpie Call
The Australian Magpie
The Australian Magpie
Page updated
Report abuse