Caring for Ravens and Magpies

Summary

The web content discusses the common presence and care for ravens and magpies in Australian backyards, highlighting their unique behaviors and the author's personal experiences with these birds.

Abstract

Australia's diverse avifauna includes ravens and magpies, which are frequently found in residential areas. Ravens are known for their loud calls, often waking up the neighborhood, and they build their nests high in trees. The author has a particular connection with a one-legged raven that visits their backyard, which they have been feeding for years. Magpies, while intelligent and melodious, can exhibit aggressive behavior during breeding season, sometimes attacking humans near their nests. Despite these behaviors, the author empathizes with the birds' need to feed their young and provides water and food for them, acknowledging the importance of supporting local wildlife.

Opinions

The author expresses annoyance at the loud calls of ravens but also empathy for their role as parents feeding their young.
There is a sense of compassion and concern for a disabled raven that frequents the author's backyard, as evidenced by the family's routine feeding of the bird.
The author has mixed feelings about magpies, recognizing their intelligence and beautiful calls, yet also being wary of their aggressive swooping during the breeding season.
The author values the well-being of local wildlife, as demonstrated by the provision of water and food for the birds, especially on hot days.

Australian Wildlife…

Australia is home to many different types of birds. We have parrots, cockatoos, galah, songbirds and so much more. But the most common birds sitting in our backyards are ravens and magpies.

Ravens have a very loud and increasing volume when they chat to each other. They are nature’s alarm clock in Australia. Trust me. There have been many weekends where their chatting has woken me up.

While I do hate their loud chatting in the mornings, they too have babies to feed. They lay their nests in the tallest trees they can find. I have one particular raven that frequently visits my backyard as it has only one leg.

My family and I have been routinely feeding this bird for years. I feel sorry for the poor thing. I don’t know how it lost one leg, but I do know it flies off to feed her children.

Photo by burroblando on Unsplash

Magpies on the other hand are also common backyard visitors. If you don’t know, Magpies are famous but not for the right reasons. During the breeding season, some Magpies become aggressive towards any intruders, including humans, that venture too close to their nest sites.

Magpies are intelligent birds and full of character with a melodious call. I have been attacked quite a few times. It is not a pleasant experience when they continuously try to swoop and peck your head.

Either way, they also join the ravens in the backyard looking for food. I don’t blame them. Animals also need to feed their families. My family and I have set up old bowls and containers outside so that the birds always have access to water on scorching days and food.