Magpies are members of the corvid family of birds. Like crows, they are highly intelligent animals and exhibit problem-solving abilities. When a couple of magpies showed up outside her window, Sarah Luke wanted to scare them away. Because they are smart, they don’t scare easily. Getting creative, Sarah tried making a paper mache owl. That worked out great… for the magpies.
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We don’t know how much time and effort Sarah invested in creating her “scary” owl. When she put it out on the windowsill to do its job, the magpies showed up. The owl did not have the desired effect. Rather than being frightened by the large paper mache bird, the magpies adopted it as their lord and savior.
You did read that correctly. The magpies were not at all scared away. The birds began belting out their morning song without a care, staring up adoringly at their new master. The birds chattered away, as is their nature.
Magpie means “chatterer.” The name is so fitting because they never seem to quiet. They are awkward over open ground, but agile within trees, like a dogfighter in an FA-22 jet. When moving on the ground, they hop with their tail raised, looking like tiny kangaroos.
Adult magpies have bold coloring, while juveniles look washed out like faded jeans. Magpies will mimic other bird calls to confuse predators. They are capable of learning speech.
Some researchers working with magpies have reported that the birds can solve mid-range puzzles. They also remember faces and will hold a long grudge if you do them wrong. Some even use small tools. They are amazing birds.
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