Magpies: Friends and tricksters
Magpies are a staple in Edmonton communities and our stories
When you mention their name in Edmonton, some people will react with a smile and others will roll their eyes in frustration. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, magpies are a constant presence in Alberta.
“Magpies have desirable as well as undesirable qualities,” observes Pat Marklevitz, a professional biologist and avid birder. “Out in rural Alberta, they’re not as numerous. Cities like Edmonton suit them. They are opportunistic feeders and there’s lots to eat here.”
On the one hand, magpies are good — they eat insects, garbage, and carrion (dead animals). On the other, they attack and kill other animals, and will dive-bomb humans and animals to protect their chicks. Flocks of magpies are known as "tidings."
One thing is certain: Magpies are among the most intelligent birds we have. Their breeding season starts in March, but you can observe their fascinating behaviours year-round. Members of the crow family (Corvidae), they can mimic human speech, invent tools, and play tricks on other magpies. They can also play tricks on humans.
Karen Mykietka, publisher at the Rat Creek Press, laughs at one strange encounter with the multi-coloured bird. Working in her office, she heard a repeated tap, tap, from somewhere in the Alberta Avenue Community Centre. Stepping into the lobby, she searched for the source of the sound. With nothing evident, she returned to work. “There it was again,” Mykietka recalls. Another search ensued. Finally, she spotted a magpie energetically tapping at a roof window overlooking the lobby. She went back to work.
Tap, tap. The sound came again. Only this time, the same bird was tapping on the window of the front door. “I think if I had opened the door, the magpie would have waltzed in,” says Mykietka.
Years ago, I was a newcomer to Alberta and lived near High Prairie in a log house. The snow had fallen for several weeks, piling up in the backyard at the edge of a forest. A weary moose made its way, lifting its long legs across the snowbanks. Then it flopped down in a sunny spot and was soon snoozing. Within minutes, a magpie flew down to the big beast’s back. It began to peck away at annoying ticks on the moose. “Good for you,” I thought. I couldn’t help but praise the bird.
Here in Edmonton, Don Reykdal got to know one magpie well over a five-year period. The bird stood out, with only one leg and a left wing that hung down. Reykdal shared his story one Tuesday with the seniors group at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre. Reykdal, creator of the website BBQ Secrets and known as the Barbecue King locally and internationally, shares leftover food with magpies. He kept seeing the injured bird and started taking photos and videos. “That magpie really was a survivor,” recounted Reykdal. “I felt good that I helped him get by.”
Not all magpies form bonds with humans. Bronwen Thompson is the facility coordinator of both Eastwood and Parkdale-Cromdale (PCCL) community halls. She recalls saving her cat, Shiloh, from a magpie once. More recently, she arrived for work at PCCL to be confronted by a magpie at the entrance. “I looked right at it, and said hello,” recalls Thompson. “It didn’t give me a second glance. Just flew up and away.”
That’s how it works sometimes. Not every magpie has a story to share.
Constance Brissenden is an experienced presenter, writer, editor, and historian living in Cromdale. She is co-author of nine award-winning books by Cree author Larry Loyie (1933-2016), in addition to more than 20 books of history and travel.
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Over the years I have had many Magpies visit me in my mission to attract BlueJays to my balcony. From the early days where Hitchcock numbers of Magpies would gather in the pre-dawn in the tree across the street waiting for breakfast to now only a few popping by. While I have been thrilled in attracting Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Sparrows and the occasional Flicker, it is the Magpie that amazes me for its intelligence, problem solving and learning. My best Magpie story is the day I observed a “committee “ meeting of 7 or more birds who (I assume) were all related discussing amongst themselves what to do with a huge nest in a deciduous tree next to our balcony. The nest had been in use for a couple of years and had never been truly successful. The discussion carried on by soft twitters, burbles, and other vocalizations as each bird hopped in and inspected the nest. Then all fell silent. An agreement had been reached. One by one each bird flew in, took a twig and flew away returning a few minutes later. Within an hour the nest was dismantled and the birds gone.
Birds are smart and clever. What a great conversation you had with your magpie friend!