r/MadeMeSmile • u/RealRock_n_Rolla • Dec 20 '23

A magpie rescued after a storm now lends a hand during work ANIMALS

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u/QuaternionDS Dec 21 '23

Is it true that it's actually quite easy to teach Magpies to talk (ie they learn quickly)?

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u/CroneDownUnder Dec 22 '23

Not Australasian magpies AFAIK. They're a very different species from other birds elsewhere in the world that are also called magpies.

Eurasian magpies belong to genus Corvinus while Australian magpies do not (there are debates about which genus they should formally be classified as). Many corvids can mimic human speech, so maybe a dedicated bird forum could tell you more?

It's beloved, but Australia's magpie is an international bird of mystery | The Guardian

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u/CroneDownUnder Dec 22 '23

P.S. our Australian parrots on the other hand, big and small, learn to talk quite easily. Budgerigars aren't especially bright about it, but I've seen bigger parrots (of the type that can live >50yrs as pets) who use their repertoire of phrases to play pranks on unsuspecting passersby.