Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) display aggressive territorial behaviour that makes them pests. All landowners in the Waikato region are required to destroy this pest if a valid complaint is made.
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Why magpies are pests
Magpies have a complex social system in which individual magpies may occur in non-territorial flocks or territorial pairs. Magpies defend their territory by singing, aggressive posturing and fighting. It is this aggressive territorial behaviour that makes magpies a pest.
Magpies attack and occasionally kill other birds. A recent study by Landcare Research concluded that the cost of magpie aggression for other species is mostly a small 50-100 metre displacement. This is not a significant threat to other bird species, unless they are displaced from key feeding sites. Although magpies have been known to attack native birds, this is an insignificant threat compared to the problems imposed on our native birds by mammal pests.
This territorial behaviour is also a nuisance to local residents. Numerous reports have been received of magpies attacking children, cyclists, farmers and runners. These incidences increase during the breeding season from early July through summer.
Identifying features
Magpies are black and white in colour, with a body length between 36-44 cms. Their distinctive flute like call (quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle) is usually heard in the early morning or evening. They are often seen in flocks, but may also be seen in pairs.
How to recognise magpies
Magpies are widespread throughout the Waikato Region. They prefer open pasture areas with nearby tall trees for roosting and nesting. They are common around farmland, bush edges, gardens and in urban areas including schools, parks and airports.
Magpies were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s from Australia to control pastoral insect pests. Two species were introduced, the black backed and the white backed magpie. Crossbreeding has occurred and they are now considered one species.
You may observe magpies swooping and dive bombing native birds such as the kereru or tui. This could indicate that these birds are trying to access a key-feeding site. Undertaking magpie control is likely to have significant benefits to the native birds in these circumstances
Responsibility for control
All landowners/occupiers are responsible for controlling magpies on their property. If Environment Waikato receives a valid complaint about magpies, the occupier of the land on which the magpie nest occurs will need to destroy the bird, nest or both as directed.
Where the nest occurs on land owned by the Department of Conservation, or the district/city council, you should contact the relevant organisation directly.
Control methods
Using a variety of control methods will provide the best result.
Trapping
Many traps are commercially available including Larsen traps, The Arcane™ magpie trip-trap, letterbox traps and adapted possum cage traps. These are all live capture traps that allow non-target birds to be released unharmed.
The Larsen style trap is very popular. It is a double caged trap with a flap door held open by a false perch which, when triggered, falls down, releasing the flap and trapping the bird. A decoy magpie is placed in one side of the trap to attract others to it. The Larsen trap is most effective during the breeding season (July though summer), as magpies are particularly territorial at this time.
Find out more about making and using Larsen traps.
Larsen traps are also available from Leyden Larsen Traps in Te Awamutu, phone (07) 872 7761.
Shooting and use of distress CDs
Random shooting of magpies is unlikely to achieve any significant control of the local population. For effective shooting, use a magpie distress calling CD. When played, the recording of distressed magpies will attract magpies from up to one kilometre away. Use this method sparingly as surviving birds quickly become gun shy and wary of distress call CDs.
Camouflage the CD player in an open area. The shooter should also be camouflaged making good use of natural cover. A .22 rifle with a sound moderator is recommended.
Magpie distress calling CDs are available from Fish and Game New Zealand, phone (07) 849 1666.
Poisoning
Large populations of magpies can be successfully reduced using the narcotic poison alphachloralose. This product, when used in concentrations of 2.5 percent or below, will anaesthetise birds rather than kill them. Comatose birds are then collected and the target species humanely killed. Non-target species can be revived by placing them in a warm dark place.
A poison license is not required to use alphachloralose if used in concentrations of 2.5 percent or less. Several commercial baits are available with grain lures for other pest species. When targeting magpies, bread covered in alphachloralose paste should be used.
Alpha-chloralose based products can be ordered through most farm supply stores or Environment Waikato Biosecurity Animal Pest Contractors.
More information
For additional advice and information and where to obtain pest control products, contact your nearest Biosecurity Animal Pest Contractor or your local farm supply store.
Related publications
Regional Pest Management Strategy
Environment Waikato pest animal and plant publications
'What makes a pest a pest? - A guide to Waikato's pest management future' download (730 kb, 104 seconds to download, 56k modem) order or pick for free from our offices.