Comments on: The Magpie: Coin Collecting Genuis Profile

By: Elephants: Why They Are So Smart

Elephants: Why They Are So Smart — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:17:51 +0000

[...] ability.Self-AwarenessElephants have joined a select group of animals that includes, chimpanzees, magpies, gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, dolphins, orcas and humans.Self-awareness is tested using the [...]

By: The Bonobo: Our Most Human Primate Cousin

The Bonobo: Our Most Human Primate Cousin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:16:39 +0000

[...] which includes, amongst others, the common chimpanzee, gorillas, dolphins, elephants and magpies, the bonobo possesses self-awareness and has successfully passed the self-recognition mirror [...]

By: Yellow Magpie

Yellow Magpie — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:37:34 +0000

Thanks for your interesting comment, Deb. Any answer would of course be complete speculation.

Perhaps they like them for the same reasons we do. We are attracted to their bright allure and we also deem them valuable. Maybe they do the same.

By: deb

deb — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:57:59 +0000

“Magpies, noted for their scavenging, are unsurprisingly omnivorous. They will eat almost anything edible.” and “synonymous with thievery and the acquisition of BRIGHT, SHINY objects.”
Interesting… What I have always wondered is WHY?
Even being omnivorous, like humans, they can hardly want to eat gold, watches, etc. nor use them in nest building… They’re known for simply dropping the objects again, especially if too heavy. But WHY the attraction, there must be a reason, espcially since they are such intelligent birds.
Would love to hear back from you.

By: Yellow Magpie

Yellow Magpie — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:15:54 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Brigid. It is amazing how much folklore the magpie has created. Stop by again!

By: brigid courtney

brigid courtney — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:29:13 +0000

In the midlands there seems to be a custom called ‘saluting the magpie’ ; also of addressing it as ‘your honour’ ; in Lichfield they have a rhyme (not the “one for sorrow ” one) with which to greet a magpie.
Brewer’s dictionary of Phrase and Fable gives a variant on the ‘one for sorrow’ rhyme beginning ‘one’s sorrow, two’s mirth/one’s a christening ,two’s a birth’ etc up to nine.

By: The Chimpanzee: A Creature That We Continually Underestimate

The Chimpanzee: A Creature That We Continually Underestimate — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:25:12 +0000

[...] humans. They have the ability to use tools, to use language, and to learn quickly. Like dolphins, magpies and humans, chimpanzees can recognise themselves in a mirror. They also use gestures and language [...]

By: Dolphin: Our Love Affair With Our Favourite Cetacean

Dolphin: Our Love Affair With Our Favourite Cetacean — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:27:54 +0000

[...] second. The sounds are created through sacs in their nasal passages. Dolphins, like chimpanzees, magpies and humans, have the ability to recognise themselves in a [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:35:37 +0000

Never seen these coin collectors before. That is pretty cool though.