Australian Magpie Tops Bird Count as Researchers Uncover Surprising Intelligence

The Australian magpie has again topped the charts in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count as the feathered friend most often spotted across the country. Half of the 153,000 surveys submitted by 64,000 observers included the magpie, ahead of the rainbow lorikeet that appeared on 42% of surveys and the noisy minor making 34% of the counts. It's clear that the magpie is a common sight in many parts of Australia. They're a familiar bird to many people.

But while the Australian magpie is an everyday feature for many of us, there's nothing boring about them. They can recognise human faces and voices, and they form relationships with people. According to emeritus Prof Gisela Kaplan, of the University of New England, magpies are nice to people who are nice to them. They'll recognise faces and know which people belong to a property. They'll also know their pets too. Kaplan says magpies won't attack people they know and trust.

Kaplan has been studying magpies for about 30 years and has found that they're amazing mimics. Both male and female magpies can mimic other bird species, and they do it more precisely than lyrebirds, which are known for their mimicry. Magpies can also use their mimicry intelligently. Kaplan recalls one male magpie that tended to sit on a log in a New South Wales garden shared with a family dog and cat. The magpie had learned to speak the name of the family dog.

Whenever the cat would stalk the magpie, the bird called the dog, which came running, causing the cat to run away. This behaviour shows that magpies are clever birds.

Prof Amanda Ridley, a behavioural ecologist at the University of Western Australia, has also been studying the cognitive abilities of the state’s unique sub-species of Australian magpie. She thinks it's fair to say they're an intelligent bird. Ridley and her colleagues have been setting an array of tests for magpies, such as learning which colour or shade of colour was associated with a food reward. They've also been testing where a reward was likely to be in an array of holes set out in a shape. In one study, it was found that fledglings living in bigger groups tended to be able to solve puzzles faster than those living in smaller groups – regardless of the performance of their parent.

This suggests that social interaction plays a role in the development of problem-solving skills.

They're a very bright bird, and they're also loyal, says Kaplan. Groups of magpies will move long distances looking for a territory, but once they find it – whether in the bush or your local park – they'll stick around for many years. They'll become so familiar with the people in their territory that they're known to bring their fledglings along to their friendly neighbourhood humans. It's not uncommon for magpies to form close bonds with people. They'll often visit the same people every day.

Magpies will even help each other out. Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast designed a new harness for a GPS tracker to attach to Australian magpies to find out more about their habits. One habit they hadn't accounted for was the ability of one magpie to find the weak point of the harness and then remove it from another magpie. After successfully attaching the trackers to five magpies, researchers saw one magpie trying to remove her own tracker, before another magpie approached to help, pecking at the device. It was off within 10 minutes.

This behaviour shows that magpies are capable of cooperation and problem-solving.

During the months of spring, magpies become hyper-vigilant as they protect their eggs from intruders. But not all magpies swoop. In fact, only about 10% of magpies – and always males – swoop on humans. It also appears magpies may have specialist targets. When researchers watched 48 aggressive magpies one Brisbane spring, they found 71% only attacked one type of intruder – pedestrian, cyclist, or mail deliverer.

This suggests that magpies are able to identify specific threats and respond accordingly.

• The Australian magpie has topped the BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count for the most spotted bird in Australia.
• Half of the 153,000 surveys submitted included the magpie.
• Magpies can recognize human faces and voices.
• They're intelligent and loyal birds.
• Magpies can mimic other bird species and use their mimicry intelligently.

The ability of magpies to recognize faces and voices is a unique trait that helps them differentiate between a threatening human and a friendly one. Kaplan says that if the magpie recognises your face or voice and knows you're not a threat, they won't swoop. This intelligence, combined with their loyalty, makes them a fascinating species to study and observe. They're able to form complex social relationships with humans and other birds.

Kaplan and Ridley’s research has shed new light on the Australian magpie, highlighting their complex social behavior and problem-solving abilities. As we learn more about these birds, we can appreciate their importance in the ecosystem and work to protect and conserve their populations. It's essential to recognize the significance of their intelligence and social behavior. By studying these birds, we can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place within it.

As the Australian magpie continues to thrive in its native habitat, it's essential to recognize the significance of their intelligence and social behavior. By studying these birds, we can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place within it. And who knows, you might just find yourself being introduced to a magpie’s fledgling on your back porch, a true honour according to Kaplan. This experience can be a unique opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of these birds.