Magpies closer to native than previously thought

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Interesting article on the St Bathans currawong (Miostrepera canora; a close relative of Aus magpie), and higher songbird diversity in NZ around 16 to 19 million years ago.

https://theconversation.com/magpies-may ... ago-258795

[SomesBirder]

Though the suggestion here that the Australian Magpie is a native species in some way is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, it reminds me of when the New Zealand Swan was re-split as its own species a few years ago. At that time, the author(s) of that news were proposing what could be described as the opposite of the suggestion in the present article. It was said at that time that because the New Zealand Swan was not the same species as the Australian Black Swan, that the extant Black Swan should not be regarded as being a species that is worth keeping in New Zealand.

[sm1979]

Please don't even suggest that Magpies are anything near to native. They are an absolute curse in NZ.

[fras444]

Please don't even suggest that Magpies are anything near to native. They are an absolute curse in NZ.

To be fair, magpies have been proven by DOC and various research over the decades, to have minimal impact if any on our ecosystem and in fact, there is research to suggest that infact, magpies are potentially a beneficial species in allowing our natives/endemics to actually have successful breeding seasons at magpies are very efficient at chasing away harriers and the like.
Yes, magpies have been known and observed chasing native species, mostly in the form of territorial displays and have predated on our native species but nothing near the extent of many campaigns against magpies suggests..
Harriers, NZ falcons, Moreporks, Long-tailed cuckoo, kingfishers, black-backed and red billed gulls predate far more on other native species than what magpies do.

It's time we stop funding or sinking incredibly valuable resources in conservation and in research and or campaigns in controlling magpies and put that money into the real villains in conservation and that is stoats, rats, cats and the like....

On that note...

Our evolution of our wildlife shares so much links to our Australian counterparts and its time to stop xenophobia when it comes to birds and Australia...

Birds are certainly not geopolitically motivated, they don't vote nor do they have any blame towards how our national teams do against Australia.
It's time we embrace research in the name of finding out where our endemic species originated from regarding their Australian counterparts and research such as this goes along way in answering many questions we ask in regards to where our unique wildlife originated from.

[Jake]

Yeah, the first photo of an Australian Magpie pecking a NZ native reptile was shared (on FB?) the other day by DOC. I kinda just took it for granted that they were likely to be heavy predators of our native reptiles... but then this is the first ever photo... and it's not even proof of predatory behavior; only evidence that they will peck at a dead skink

Reassessing these biases isn't a fun task imo

[chris]

Yeh. I'd be pretty shore the kingfishers around here take far more lizards than the low numbers of magpies . And I like having them both around. I live on the south side of the christchurch estuary. Large numbers of birds on and around the estuary. The magpies although not always present seem to fit in with the other birds seamlessly. I do believe banks penisula was the last place to have the native crow. With mention of a relic population post European contact.so magpies are possibly refilling a vacant niche. So yes I agree. Magpie control is most likely uneccissary. Even though attacks on people and other birds can be quite violent and traumatic ther,e impact on ecosystems in a negetive way seems questionable.and let's not forget. We're talking about a highly intelligent animal. Yeah there are most certainly higher priorities for pest control and biodiversity protection.

[Steps]

"Yes, magpies have been known and observed chasing native species, mostly in the form of territorial displays..."
Magpies have large territories, with groups of magpie 'territories covering large areas. preventing other species to live, breed in these large areas.
Thats no different to us simply cut down and burn , laying bare these areas preventing our native species their environment.
Go into these areas and we see farmers, hikers etc getting attacked, fantastic to watch aerial battles with kaka gulls, harriers tui, wood pigeon, hikers, farmers hunters etc. One doesnt see fan tails blackbirds or many other birds.
The question is do we want magpies or would we like morepork, harriers, tui fantail etc.
Privately, know of several rural people who have made a serious effort to almost eradicate and maintain limited areas and kaka tui pigeon etc where very quick to return.
Then throw in children, adults in small city parks regularly intimidated and attacked, more often than people realise.
'Science' may show magpie keep native predators out.

That doesnt mean they are protecting the surrounding species.
Magpie do it to all species.
Magpie need to be put in the same category as stoats rats possums etc