Deconstructed Magpie

The Magpie is an iconic bird in Australia. They're a gardener's dream and a cyclist's nightmare when they swoop to defend their young in the breeding season.

One can see them often in pairs or small groups and several names have been given to a group of magpies, but perhaps the most descriptive is “a parliament.” The birds have earned this title by often appearing in large groups in the spring, looking stately and cawing at each other. Magpies occupy the same territory for their entire life. Once they find a suitable patch, they will stay there forever — up to 20 years. If that patch includes people, they know all the people that live there.