The surprising key to magpie intelligence: it's not genetic

[Judi Lynn]

Elizabeth Speechley

Published: March 13, 2024 12:10am EDT

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering Australia’s iconic magpies, you know these birds are intelligent creatures. With their striking black and white plumage, loud warbling voices and complex social behaviours, magpies possess a level of avian brilliance that fascinates birders and scientists alike.

But what enables these clever birds to thrive? Are their sharp cognitive abilities innate – something coded into their genetic makeup? Or are magpie smarts more a product of their environment and social experiences?

In a new study, we shed light on the “nature versus nurture” debate – at least when it comes to avian intelligence.

Bigger social groups, smarter birds
Our study focused on Western Australian magpies, which unlike their eastern counterparts live in large, cooperative social groups all year round. We put young fledglings – and their mothers – through a test of their learning abilities.

We made wooden “puzzle boards” with holes covered by different-coloured lids. For each bird, we hid a tasty food reward under the lid of one particular colour. We also tested each bird alone, so it couldn’t copy the answer from its friends.

More:
https://theconversation.com/the-surprising-key-to-magpie-intelligence-its-not-genetic-225654

[Onthefly]

1. Magpie at my hotel room

Many years ago, while working in Australia, I had befriended a magpie at my hotel balcony. I would feed the bird nuts. With the balcony door open, I talked to the bird and she
showed up daily at the same time waiting for nuts. In a couple of days, she took nuts from my hand. I called “her” Maggie. Could have been a “he” so I guess “Magnum P. I,” could have worked. She visited reliably for weeks.