Feeding Advice for Magpies (and Other Insect Eaters – Ravens, Currawongs etc) BCCS

The Bird Care and Conservation Society Inc. discourages the public from feeding wild birds. We advise that native trees should be planted that provide nectar, pollen, seed and berries, and attract insects. This will be a permanent food source that will never go on holidays or move house leave the birds who are relying on a food source to go hungry.

Different birds have different dietary needs and generally eat a wide variety of food. Table scraps do not provide good nutrition for adult birds – or parent birds who are rearing young.

Magpies should never under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be fed raw meat. NOT even as an occasional treat.

Insectivores such as magpies need a protein-rich diet with lesser amounts of carbohydrates and fat and they have extremely high calcium requirements.

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If you feel that you must feed wild magpies we recommend the formula below. Only feed a small amount per day so that the birds will rely on natural food sources that will provide ALL their dietary requirements.

Formula
1 can Pal puppy food
Wheat germ
Heinz High Protein baby cereal
Wombaroo insectivore mix (available through your vet, or pet shop)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Half a cup of grated hard cheese i.e. Old Bitey
1 tablespoon of calcium carbonate

All of the above ingredients must be used.
If any are left out nutritional deficiencies can occur.

Add equal amounts of Heinz high protein baby cereal, wheat germ, and Wombaroo insectivore mix to the can of Puppy pal (one spoon of each at a time) until the mix is a moist crumble. Add the grated cheese, parsley, egg and calcium carbonate.

This makes a large supply that can be frozen in small amounts with each days supply being defrosted as necessary. All food must be fed fresh or freshly defrosted daily. All feeding dishes must be washed in hot soapy water daily to prevent disease.

Update from Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Australian Magpies have started their night-time singing and nest building, in preparation for spring. Once their nestlings hatch, around 10% of the adult males will protect their families from humans and pets – by swooping .

We have a few suggestions for this 6 week period!

If you feed your local magpies to avoid being swooped – please don’t! Long-term feeding can lead to painful metabolic bone disease, soft beaks and neurological problems, which are often fatal. It also disrupts magpie relationships and undermines their ecological roles. A healthy unsprayed garden with mulch, bird baths and beneficial insects is the best way to support magpies.

To avoid being swooped, you can also:

Avoid areas with a swooping male

Hold a stick or umbrella above your head

Thread cable ties through bike helmets

Wear sunglasses and a hat

Travel in groups

Don’t throw stones or yell – they can remember more than 30 faces!

Talk or sing to them, to show goodwill

Get off your bike, so you don’t fall off if swooped

Keep pets restrained

Check the Magpie Alert website for swooping hotspots

And please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about magpies – we are happy to help .

http://www.kanyanawildlife.org.au/
(08) 9291 3900
info@kanyanawildlife.org.au

#australianmagpie #koorlbardi #gymnorhinatibicen #cracticustibicen #swoopingseason #babybirdseason #djilba #spring #wildlifeconservation #CaringConservingConnecting

More info – Swoop Right Into Our Hearts: Four reasons to love magpies