Magpies are a common Australian songbird. They have a wide variety of calls, many of which are complex with a varying pitch of up to four octaves!
To me, this bird looks like a crow with some white spots on it.
I think that it looks really cool! I think it was the first time (outside of the cockatoo) I saw a bird with white in its feathers. The stark contrast between the white and the black looks so pretty!
They are often found wherever there is a combination of trees and open areas, like my university campus.
Magpies live off of insects and larvae that they find on the ground. They are usually grouped together in groups of 24, living year-round in their chosen territory, which they depend on for feeding, roosting and nesting.
I don't think I can harm this animal, however I am worried about it harming me. Magpies are known to be extremely territorial and will defend their territory from other magpies and potential predators. Some see humans as a threat. They can get especially aggressive during breeding season and attack or "swoop" people's heads.
