ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

How magpies can form friendships with people

How magpies can form friendships with people

Mum’s warning: My girl, 7, was blinded by a magpie

Mum’s warning: My girl, 7, was blinded by a magpie

Australia's most popular bird has been named

Australia's most popular bird has been named

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

{headline}

{headline}

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

{headline}

{headline}

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

  1. Home
  2. Real Life

I'm a magpie whisperer

Danielle was thrilled when magpies swooped into her backyard. - by Jacqueline Mey
  • 08 Oct 2018
I'm a magpie whisperer

As a little girl, I loved waking to the sound of the birds.

Jumping up, I’d peer out my window trying to spot them, then whistle, hoping to draw them closer.

When I finally flew my own parent’s nest, my love for birds didn’t end.

But my new backyard was so quiet with not a chirp, whistle or crow around.

I don’t know if I’m ready for this, I thought, feeling lonely.

Then one day, I was out 
in the garden when I heard 
a pretty birdsong.

A magpie!

Crouching down, I slowly extended my arm. 

‘Hi buddy,’ I said, gently stroking his feathers with 
the back of my hand.

Tilting his head back, he suddenly started singing at the top of his lungs.

I couldn’t stop smiling, knowing that I wasn’t 
alone anymore.

The next day, I heard that same song coming through my window.

Running outside, I was greeted by the same scruffy magpie, snuggling up in my boots at the door.

‘Back again,’ I giggled.

I think you need a name, 
I pondered.

‘Boots!’ I decided.

For the next few weeks, Boots would greet me each day with his song and I’d race out to say hello and give him a scratch.

‘I’ve missed you,’ I said.

Leaning in, he stuck his beak out towards my face, then he rubbed it against 
my nose.

Just like an Eskimo kiss! 
I thought. Boots missed me too!

Angel the Magpie

Angel the Magpie

Source: Instagram

People are often afraid of magpies, but 
I think the birds are misunderstood.

‘They’re just trying to protect their babies,’ I tell anyone who will listen. 

Amazingly, their intelligence level is thought to be equivalent to that of 
a four-year-old child.

Boots must have shared the news about my yard 
with others, as soon more magpies flocked to my place, then 
a few more... and a few more!

Grabbing 
a cuppa one day, I walked out to have 
a chat with 
my feathered friends, wondering 
how many there would be.

Swinging open the door, 
I gulped.

Dozens of beady eyes were staring back at me!

They were sitting in the trees, on the fence and even on my clothesline.

‘Welcome 
to Magpie Manor,’ 
I laughed.

Instantly, 
my loneliness flew away.

These aren’t evil birds, 
I thought, wanting 
to change everyone’s perception 
about magpies.

So I came up with a plan to document their gentle side.

Opening the door, I filmed Boots gliding towards me and delicately landing on 
my arm.

Then I posted it on my new instagram page, 
@themagpiewhisperer.

Next, I spread a towel out on the lawn and when Boots dozed off in the sun next to me, I snapped some photos.

He was always the first one to join in my activities and his favourite was sunbathing!

In fact, Boots even made himself at home waltzing around inside with his 
chest puffed.

‘You act as if you own 
the place!’ I joked.

Now Boots’ cheeky behaviour has started to 
rub off on the other birds.

Going out to collect my washing one day, I found magpies swinging upside down from my towels, happily singing.

‘You guys aren’t bats!’ 
I laughed, filming them playing.

After I posted it online it went viral! Now I post all their magpie mischief to educate people about their kind side and how we can live peacefully together.

Magpies are great friends

Magpies are great friends

Source: Instagram

Like Aussies, magpies stick by their family and mates.

There’s also now evidence they can recognise human faces for many years. They know which ones don’t 
pose a risk and can form friendships with them.

Three years on, my garden is swarming with magpies every day.

There are 10 regulars who call my yard their home, but dozens more stop by.

As for Boots, he now has 
a girlfriend called Whiskers and she’s currently creating 
a nest nearby.

‘You’re going to be a dad!’ 
I tell him, excited.

And I’ll be like a proud grandparent!

Jacqueline Mey
Jacqueline Mey
Jacqueline is a Features Writer for that’s life! magazine. Previously working at Prevention, she has published works across Bella, Closer, Take a Break, Real People and that’s life! UK. She is also the host of Girlfriend’s Beauty Boss Podcast.

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

How magpies can form friendships with people

How magpies can form friendships with people

Mum’s warning: My girl, 7, was blinded by a magpie

Mum’s warning: My girl, 7, was blinded by a magpie

Australia's most popular bird has been named

Australia's most popular bird has been named

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

{headline}

{headline}

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

{headline}

{headline}

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!