Wednesday's Wildlife: Magpies

As spring blooms in Calgary, so does the flurry of activity among one of our most intelligent and misunderstood backyard neighbours: the magpie. Pica hudsonia, or the black-billed magpie, are members of the clever corvid family–the group of birds that includes ravens, crows, and jays–and are not only known for their striking black-and-white plumage and unmistakable chatter, but also for their remarkable nest-building skills.

Both the male and female magpies take part in nest-building, a process that can stretch from several weeks to nearly two months. It begins in early spring with the selection of a well-sheltered tree or shrub, typically at a height that offers protection for their future chicks. Interestingly, magpies often construct multiple nests but settle in just one–possibly using the others as decoys to confuse predators.

A magpie nest nestled among the branches of a tree. A magpie is perched beside the nest.

Unlike many songbirds that opt for a simple cup-shaped nest, magpies are known for constructing elaborate, dome-shaped structures designed for both durability and defense. These architectural marvels are up to three feet tall and just as wide, with thick outer walls woven from thorny branches, sticks, and twigs. Inside, a mud-lined ‘cup’ is carefully padded with grass and, at times, fur from shedding mammals. With a sturdy roof overhead and strategically placed side entrances, these nests offer protection from predators and the elements, while also ensuring a swift exit when needed.

By late May, fledglings begin to take their first steps–and flights– out of the nest. Like toddlers learning to walk, they spend a few days on the ground practicing short flights under the watchful eyes of their parents. This stage is natural–but also dangerous.

A fledgling magpie with an open mouth.

Each year, wildlife rehabilitators like Calgary Wildlife see an increase in injured magpies during this fledgling window. Common causes? Cat and dog attacks, collisions with windows or vehicles, and well-meaning humans mistaking grounded fledglings for orphans.

The best way to help is simple: keep pets indoors or leashed during late spring. If you come across a young magpie on the ground, observe it from a distance. Are adult magpies nearby? Is the chick feathered, active, and alert? If so, it’s best to leave it be. But if the bird is injured or in distress, or has been handled by pets, it may need the help of a rehabilitation centre like Calgary Wildlife.

Give them a little space this spring, and you just might witness a quiet masterpiece unfolding, one twig at a time.

Have you found injured or orphaned wildlife, or not sure if wildlife needs help? Please call Calgary Wildlife at 403-214-1312.

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