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12 Fun Fact About Magpies

Posted on July 27, 2020August 21, 2020 by Kkachii

Magpies are a medium sized corvid, and like other corvids, are known for their intelligence and personality. They are found nearly everywhere in the world, and have lived closely with humans throughout history. Because of this, magpies have been misunderstood but also a popular figure in fairy tale and folklore. Enjoy these fun and interesting magpie facts! Remember these are fun magpie facts, not necessarily just the scientific ones!

magpie illustration
“An illustrated manual of British birds” (1889)

1. In France, magpies were thought to be reincarnations of evil nuns. Crows? Reincarnated evil priests.

2. Magpies are among the few animals that recognize themselves in a mirror.

3. Magpies can mimic sounds, even human voices when they feel like it!

4. A group of magpies is called a parliament. They tend to be garrulous in groups. Hmm.

5. Magpies hold “funerals” for their dead

6. A magpie couple will stay together for life. It really is “till death do us part” with magpies.

magpie from book
“Birds of eastern North America” (1912)

7. In Chinese folklore, magpies are responsible for reuniting a pair of star-crossed lovers. The lovers were separated, but every year on the seventh day of the seventh month, magpies would form a bridge so the eternal lovers could meet.

8. In Mongolia, magpies are rumored to control the weather.

9. The tooth fairy is a magpie in Korea! Korean children would throw their baby teeth on their roof for the magpies in exchange for brand new teeth.

10. In Christianity, magpies were believed to be in allegiance with the devil due to their black feathers, but if you look under certain lights, some of these feathers actually have a blue-green iridescent sheen

magpie in hand
“I didn’t steal it I swear!” Photo by Emilian Robert Vicol

11. Magpies are reputed to be thieves, with a penchant for stealing jewelry. The truth of this is up for debate.

12. Magpies have quite a reputation. Some people vilify them, others adore them. In some cultures, they are harbingers of bad news, in other cultures they bring good news!

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Hello my name is C and I am an illustrator. I decided to start this blog as an outlet for my thoughts. For now I am writing about anything and everything until I figure out what I enjoy. Thank you for visiting!

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