Those interesting Magpies
A little while ago during a pleasant October evening I observed a solitary magpie foraging in the grass near a hedge in Herbert Park. What caught my interest was the way this medium sized bird hopped along the grass. He or she did this 'hopping along' when I got too near. This behaviour made me wonder if magpies were unique in performing this elegant little skip along. But I remembered seeing blackbirds and jackdaws also doing the exact same manoeuvre. Apparently these birds instinctively decide skip along the grass or undergrowth when they feel that a human is getting close. If they feel threatened in any way they have the option to fly away thereby disconnecting themselves from imminent danger.The French for magpie is Pie bavarde; the Spanish call the bird Urraca; the Italian call the magpie Gazza; the German for magpie is Elster while the Irish for magpie is Snag breac.
Even more fascinating is the scientific name for the magpie - Pica pica. Pica is the Latin word for magpie, which is a member of the crow family - the Corvidae.
Magpies inhabit both broad-leaved and coniferous woodland. They prefer areas which afford the opportunity to forage on the ground, nest, roost and find shelter. This bird is also happy in urban areas including large cities.
posted by Thomas @ 11:05 pm
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