My magpie family

Today something strange happened. While I was embarking on a journey of spring cleaning the likes never seen before in this humble rental home, I heard a strange cry, the origin of which I could not discern. It sounded as though someone was trying to get my attention. I looked out the window and saw nothing. I looked out the front door, and through the flyscreen was a beautiful male magpie perched on my front doorstep, whistling, calling for it's mate or I am not sure what for, and it turned and looked at me as it continued to sing. It appeared as though the magpie was calling for me, and oh the sound was so sweet, haunting, beautiful. I am quite frankly, amazed. I examined the form of my wild magpie companion from a distance, observing the relative size of it's head to it's body. The brain of the magpie would be a fraction of ours, yet the sense of self awareness was unmistakable. And the song. I found it difficult to believe that such a beautiful melody could originate from this bird perched upon my front doorstep, yet I was witnessing this with my own eyes and ears. I was saddened that I was without portable recording equipment or I would have recorded this haunting melody for the enjoyment of my readers.

I must confess that I have developed a healthy respect, and attachment for my resident magpie family, and it appears they have also with me.

As demonstrated by my experience yesterday. When going to ready my bike to ride to work (I am a keen cyclist and use organic powered transport to commute to work), I opened the back door and I was instantly recognised by the father of the magpie tribe, who promptly waddled over toward me. I yielded to compassion and turned back toward our fridge. I opened the door to retrieve some rye bread and turned and noticed the magpie perched upon my backdoor waiting for me like some sort of pet dog. I jokingly remarked to the magpie that it may as well come inside and make itself at home, as it appeared it was ready to waddle in to the house and follow me around.

I have since heard from a work colleague that some people have taken in magpies as pets, and I am not surprised. These much maligned birds have demonstrated a surprising level of intelligence and beauty I have never previously considered possible, perhaps more so than cockatoos, which despite their physical beauty and famous sense of humour, emit an awful shreak as a call. Cockatoos are quite destructive birds by comparison. I have come to develop and affection for magpies, resisting childhood experience that these are violent and dangerous birds.

The beauty and intelligence of the magpie has also reinforced my theory that carnivorous animals, at the top of the food chain (perhaps excluding sharks) are generally the most intelligent and prone to demonstrate qualities that we recognise in people. I am not entirely sure why, but it appears to be linked to REM and uninterrupted sleep brought on the by the comfort of security in one's position in the cycle of life. Dolphins, magpies, whales all exhibit these characteristics. Cockatoos are, I understand, herbivorous and I have seen less cunning than in magpies.

I was vegetarian for several years in my 20s, and I am now selectively omnivorous. I understand that the human brain and that of other intelligent creatures requires a considerable energy and nutritional supply, perhaps reinforced or caused by the need to be cunning to survive.

It is the dark side of beauty, that the carnivorous (omnivorous?) magpie perched upon my doorstep sings such a beautiful song.

Also, I have noticed the parents have begun to wean the children, who have taken tentative steps toward self sufficiency by assisting their parents in removing grubs and other pests from our garden.

The cycle of life.

And how blessed is my partner and I to witness such beauty right before our eyes.

At times it feels as though life is a gift, and such wonders as these are all around for those that care to see.