Why do farmers hate magpies?

“These birds are hungry predators,” said one farmer. Farmers usually hate them. Magpies also prey on young songbirds, although their effect on the populations is negligible compared with that of domestic cats.

Why do farmers capture magpies?

It is the most widely used magpie population control method amongst gamekeepers, magpies are rarely controlled by conservationists. It is also used to trap magpies by misguided back-yard householders concerned for the well being of nesting song-birds.

Is it bad to shoot a magpie?

Illegal magpie control Many people wish to control magpies in gardens because they take eggs and chicks of other birds. This may be difficult given the lack of scientific evidence that magpies affect the conservation of garden bird species.

Why are magpies protected in Australia?

The magpie is a distinctively Australian bird, which has adapted successfully to agricultural and urban areas. Magpies are protected by legislation. During this time, the magpie’s urge to protect its eggs and young from attack is very strong.

Why are magpies so horrible?

Reasons for this include their “cheekiness”, according to the RSPB. “It’s their challenging, almost arrogant attitude, that has won them few friends,” says a spokeswoman. “But magpies are beautiful striking birds.” They are scavengers and collect objects, with a weakness for shiny things.

Is it illegal to shoot magpies?

You don’t need to apply for a licence to shoot magpies, as they are covered by general licence issued by government. The licence allows for the control of magpies to prevent damage to specified items only, which include livestock, crops, timber and fisheries.

Are magpies vermin?

Magpies are vermin. They may lawfully be caught, shot, or otherwise killed at any time by anyone using more or less any humane means, as they are now number-one bird pest throughout Britain. Not that shooting magpies is easy, for they seem to have an uncanny sense of danger. But trapping them is easy.

Are magpies good for anything?

They are scavengers and collect objects, with a weakness for shiny things. They are also seen as predators, eating other birds’ eggs and their young, as well as plants. Magpies are sometimes blamed with the overall decline in songbird numbers. But the flipside, often overlooked, is that they are good pest-destroyers.

Do magpies hold grudges?

Magpies can remember faces and hold grudges. Researchers in Brisbane, Australia have found that magpies will remember facial features and target those individuals. The research involved an individual in a mask, coming close enough to nests to make the magpies feel threatened.

Is it illegal to shoot Magpies in Scotland?

In Scotland, a cage trap must have an identifying tag obtainable from the police Wildlife Crime Officer. If you suspect that a trap has been set illegally to catch birds of prey, please report this to your local WCO. Gun laws prevent shooting of magpies close to public roads and houses.

How do you shoot a magpie?

You may need to spend several hours to get a shot at a magpie, so consider using a portable hide. If you plan to shoot early in the morning you might prefer to set up the hide the day before to avoid disturbance when you arrive for shooting. Use a good quality camouflage hide net and peg it down at the base so that it won’t rustle in the wind.

Do magpies come down to investigate?

Magpies are highly territorial birds so will often come down to investigate an unknown magpie in their area. Artificial magpie decoy birds are a good option, as they are realistic and easy to transport. You may need to spend several hours to get a shot at a magpie, so consider using a portable hide.

How to find a magpie in your yard?

Alternatively, you could make use of a decoy magpie bird. Magpies are highly territorial birds so will often come down to investigate an unknown magpie in their area. Artificial magpie decoy birds are a good option, as they are realistic and easy to transport.