Magpies
The easily-recognized black-billed magpie is a colourful bird with a black head, chest and tail. Its belly and shoulders are white; patches of white are also visible on its wings when in flight.
The full-grown magpie has a glossy iridesence on its wings and tail. Young magpies have duller colours. Male and female magpies share the same appearance and are difficult to tell apart.
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Urban Wildlife Watch - Magpies |
Behaviour
Magpies are intelligent, resourceful and bold birds. If harassed, they become wary of their intruders.
Magpies nest in trees, shrubs, willows and even utility poles. Their nests are sturdy domes made up of sticks and mud and lined with hair and grass. Each nest has two entrances.
Their diet consists of grain, corn, carrion, ground-dwelling invertebrates and small mammals. Magpies will also pick through human garbage and pet food.
Magpies prefer more open areas with islands of trees, such as windrows, which are present on many farms. They also like living along creeks, meadows and near human residences.
Magpies are all-year residents. During winter, they tend to colonise with other groups of magpies.
Magpies find long-term mates. During the 18 days when the female is incubating, the male will retrieve food. Magpies lay six to seven eggs, which are greenish-brown and freckled with brown spots. Chicks are born bare, helpless and nest bound for three to four weeks, after which the chicks leave the nest and join two to eight other broods. Adult magpies feed their young for the first seven to eight weeks of their lives.
Management
Although part of the ecosystem, magpies do conflict with humans. However, a number of measures can be taken to minimize this.
Keep pet food where it cannot be eaten by magpies and garbage stored properly to prevent scavenging.
Keep trees and shrubs in your yard well-groomed, so magpies will not roost in them. Scarecrows can be used, but magpies can become familiar with them unless they are moved around.
If magpies are already in an area, frightening devices such as bird bangers and alarms can be used. If the location of a nest is known, you could remove it; chances are the bird will move on.
Shooting the birds is also a possible control method, but only outside the special control area, urban service area and hamlet policy area.
Trapping is another option; wire mesh traps can be purchased or built and then baited with pet food for live capture of the birds.
Further information
Transportation and Agriculture Services
780-417-7100 (24 hours)
transportationandagricultureservices@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Page ID: 3485