Magpies

[Neferti]

Reports of dozens of sick and dying magpies at Northern beaches as mystery illness strikes.

THEY are best known for swooping and terrorising pedestrians but now it is the predatory magpies who are fighting for their lives.

A mystery illness has struck down record numbers of the black-and-white birds this year and puzzled wildlife officers are desperately trying to work out what is grounding the winged warriors.

Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) volunteers have reported seeing dozens of sick and dying magpies on the northern beaches in recent days.

While juvenile magpies often suffer from gapeworm, which burrow into the mouth and throat, they can be cured with antibiotics. But the cause of the recent spate of deaths ­remains a mystery.

Zoologist Professor Gisela Kaplan said one theory was a bacteria in the soil that has flourished because of weather conditions — but this is yet to be proved.

“It seems to be very localised and it does seem to be bad,” Prof Kaplan, a WIRES volunteer, said yesterday.

WIRES took one very sick magpie to the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health at Taronga Zoo late last week but it died.

There were hopes tests would shed some light on the plight of the birds but it emerged the magpie had a pre-existing condition rather than a parasitic infection, leaving WIRES none the wiser as to the cause of the spate of deaths.

Prof Kaplan said magpie numbers were already in decline before the mystery illness struck.

“It’s a real worry because these are the most iconic birds in Australia,” she said.

“They get a bad press but they are our most famous songbird after the lyrebird and they are among the most intelligent birds. They are loyal and they remain friends with humans who befriend them for their entire lives of between 25 and 30 years.”

WIRES volunteer Kris Spasojevic has spent three weeks nursing two juvenile magpies back to health.

Fears they were suffering the bacterial infection were unfounded after the birds responded to antibiotics.

“Spring is always a busy time as the baby magpies come in waves,” Ms Spasojevic said. “If they get sick as ­babies, they can get cold and their ­organs start to shut down.”


No link since it is a Pay wall thing.

[mantra]

I assume they would have been tested for poisoning. I've noticed less magpies this season which is unusual. They've been prolific in the past. I thought dogs or cats were probably getting them, but a lot of people hate them and would kill them if they had a chance.

I have never had a magpie swoop on me. I find them friendly, sociable birds. I love them. They usually have large extended families and they all look out for each other.

[mantra]

I could write a book about magpies, but I don't think anyone would be interested. There is very little on the internet about their habits.

[Redneck]

Damn!

I thought Nef was inviting me down to The Magpies Club for a beer!

[Neferti]

Damn!

I thought Nef was inviting me down to The Magpies Club for a beer!

I don't associate with Old Men on Motorbikes who drink beer at the Magpies Club at Kippax.

[Black Orchid]

I also love Magpies. They are amazing birds.

You may have to work harder than that for an invite Redneck!

[Neferti]

Yes, I have my special friend "Maggie" and her offspring that wander around my lawn ... they "talk" to me. Haven't seen them much this Spring though .... they are really tame.

[Redneck]

Damn!

I thought Nef was inviting me down to The Magpies Club for a beer!

I don't associate with Old Men on Motorbikes who drink beer at the Magpies Club at Kippax.

OMG!

And I was going to bring the child bride to ensure Nef didnt try to come on with me!

[Outlaw Yogi]

I like Butcher birds, who actually have a pleasant song.

IMO the best thing to feed a Magpie is a high velocity lead projectile.

[Outlaw Yogi]

Oct16#62 - Got 'im (cut @ 60%).jpg

Of course there is method to my vindiction, and that is to teach the parent Magpies that bringing their young in to my camp area is a bad idea.