The Australian Magpie was introduced into NZ in the 1860's.
Even though they are considered to be a pest here now, I love them. They are smart, and very handsome birds. Their morning and evening calls of 'Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle' are part of being in the country. They eat a mix of plants and animals, including grass and clover seeds, grass grubs, caterpillars, worms, spiders, crickets, snails, flies, and some vertebrates and carrion. They often eat on the ground. Their nests, which they usually build in pine trees, are often made of a mixture of natural and man-made fibres. They lay three to four eggs, but only one or two chicks are reared. Eggs are usually bluish-green with olive blotches. They have been known to be kept as pets, and taught to mimic words and sounds.
RosinaBloom
Even though they are considered to be a pest here now, I love them. They are smart, and very handsome birds. Their morning and evening calls of 'Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle' are part of being in the country. They eat a mix of plants and animals, including grass and clover seeds, grass grubs, caterpillars, worms, spiders, crickets, snails, flies, and some vertebrates and carrion. They often eat on the ground. Their nests, which they usually build in pine trees, are often made of a mixture of natural and man-made fibres. They lay three to four eggs, but only one or two chicks are reared. Eggs are usually bluish-green with olive blotches. They have been known to be kept as pets, and taught to mimic words and sounds.