Feeding our Magpie

Tina feeding our friendly Australian Magpie. This is one of a family of 3 magpies we hand feed in the morning and evening each day. They fly down from the nearby gum tree to meet us on the railing of our deck. It is a medium-sized very attractive black and white passerine bird, closely related to the butcherbirds.

Our Australian Magpie is quite a strong looking bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm (14.5-17 in) in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a strong, solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill.
They are said to be one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, with an array of complex vocalisations. If we are not fast enough to go out on the deck to feed them, they launch into song to gain our attention.

The Australian Magpie is omnivorous, with our own Magpie family having a taste for A-grade mincemeat! Spring in Australia is magpie season, when a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who happen to approach their nests. We have no such problem as we have a great bond of friendship and trust. Plus we are an easy touch for a regular free meal of ground beef!