New Zealand Introduced Animals > Australian Magpie

Australian Magpie

Gymnorhina tibicen

INTRODUCED

DISTRIBUTION: Australia and New Guinea, it was introduced to New Zealand in 1864.

HABITAT: Magpies live mainly in open grassland and cultivated paddocks with nearby trees in which to shelter. They are also found in city parks, playing fields, the edges of native and exotic forests, on tussock grassland, and occasionally on mountains up to 1700 metres.

BREEDING: Nests are usually built in exotic trees such as willow, macrocarpa, and eucalyptus. Nests are mostly twigs with finer material lining the cup. Man-made materials such as cloth, string and even barbed wire are often incorporated into the nest. 2-5 eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 20-21 days. During this time the male may feed his mate on the nest. Chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at 4 weeks old, but depend on their parents for a further 2 months.

FOOD: Insects and other invertebrates such as spiders, slaters, snails and earthworms, and occasionally lizards, mice, small birds and carrion. They will also eat vegetation such as seeds and grass.

VOICE: Its song is a medley of flute-like notes “quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle.” They can be heard throughout the year, especially early in the morning during spring.

GENERAL: Distinctive, contrasting black and white plumage. They are known for their playfulness as pets, but are often thought of as pests in the wild. They have been known to attack birds, people, dogs, and sheep. People complained that they chased away native birds and attacked children so protection was lifted in 1951. Magpies have also been known to kill new-born lambs and peck the eyes from cast sheep.


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