This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/magazine/7316384.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Why are magpies so often hated? | Why are magpies so often hated? |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine Seen as a bad omen by many Magpies are now one of the most common birds in the UK, says the RSPB. But they've also become one of the birds people most love to hate. Why? | By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine Seen as a bad omen by many Magpies are now one of the most common birds in the UK, says the RSPB. But they've also become one of the birds people most love to hate. Why? |
They are described as challenging and arrogant, and that's by their supporters. With a reputation like that magpies would probably have an Asbo slapped on them if they were teenagers. | They are described as challenging and arrogant, and that's by their supporters. With a reputation like that magpies would probably have an Asbo slapped on them if they were teenagers. |
Love them or hate them, you can't miss them. Their numbers have increased by 112% over the last 30 years and they are now the 13th most commonly seen bird in British gardens, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). | Love them or hate them, you can't miss them. Their numbers have increased by 112% over the last 30 years and they are now the 13th most commonly seen bird in British gardens, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). |
But when it comes to this intelligent black-and-white bird, most people love to hate them. After pigeons, they are one of the most vilified birds in the UK. Reasons for this include their "cheekiness", according to the RSPB. | But when it comes to this intelligent black-and-white bird, most people love to hate them. After pigeons, they are one of the most vilified birds in the UK. Reasons for this include their "cheekiness", according to the RSPB. |
"It's their challenging, almost arrogant attitude, that has won them few friends," says a spokeswoman. "But magpies are beautiful striking birds." | "It's their challenging, almost arrogant attitude, that has won them few friends," says a spokeswoman. "But magpies are beautiful striking birds." |
WHY I HATE MAGPIES The sight of another lone magpie still stops me short. Far from wanting the numbers to halve, I instantly want them to double. I scan the horizon looking for its mate. If I fail to find it, I salute, I spit, and I count down from 10 Paddy O'Connell on his irrational dislike. class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7318923.stm">Click here to read more They are scavengers and collect objects, with a weakness for shiny things. They are also seen as predators, eating other birds' eggs and their young, as well as plants. Magpies are sometimes blamed with the overall decline in songbird numbers. But the flipside, often overlooked, is that they are good pest-destroyers. | |
"We would never villainise them, they are just playing their role in nature's big picture," says the RSPB spokeswoman. | "We would never villainise them, they are just playing their role in nature's big picture," says the RSPB spokeswoman. |
Where suspicion of the bird exists it often goes back to folklore and myth. In western Europe and North America magpies were thought to be bearers of bad omens and associated with the devil. | Where suspicion of the bird exists it often goes back to folklore and myth. In western Europe and North America magpies were thought to be bearers of bad omens and associated with the devil. |
The bird has found itself in this situation mainly by association, says Steve Roud, author of The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland. | The bird has found itself in this situation mainly by association, says Steve Roud, author of The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland. |
"Large blackbirds, like crows and ravens, are viewed as evil in British folklore and white birds are viewed as good," he says. "Magpies have a dubious reputation because they are a bit of both. Over the years they have been lumped in with blackbirds." | "Large blackbirds, like crows and ravens, are viewed as evil in British folklore and white birds are viewed as good," he says. "Magpies have a dubious reputation because they are a bit of both. Over the years they have been lumped in with blackbirds." |
Unique | Unique |
The negative connotations attached to magpies can be traced as far back as Shakespeare's time, when their "chattering" was complained about. | The negative connotations attached to magpies can be traced as far back as Shakespeare's time, when their "chattering" was complained about. |
In the late 19th Century, superstitions circulated locally, says Mr Roud. So, in Durham in the 1880s, it was believed they were the only bird not to go on the ark with Noah, preferring to sit outside "jabbering over the drowning world". | In the late 19th Century, superstitions circulated locally, says Mr Roud. So, in Durham in the 1880s, it was believed they were the only bird not to go on the ark with Noah, preferring to sit outside "jabbering over the drowning world". |
To this day many people still have a ritual to negate the perceived bad influence of the magpie. What's more, they're the only bird in British folklore to elicit such a response. | To this day many people still have a ritual to negate the perceived bad influence of the magpie. What's more, they're the only bird in British folklore to elicit such a response. |
MAGPIE FACTS Magpies mate for lifeA typical magpie clutch is six eggsIt it takes 24 days for them to hatchYoung magpies leave the nest around 27 days after hatching Source: Bird On! website If one is seen on its own some people salute it and say: "I salute you Mr Magpie." Many variations exist, others turn around three times and say: "Hello Mr Magpie, how are you today, where's your wife, your child and your family?" | MAGPIE FACTS Magpies mate for lifeA typical magpie clutch is six eggsIt it takes 24 days for them to hatchYoung magpies leave the nest around 27 days after hatching Source: Bird On! website If one is seen on its own some people salute it and say: "I salute you Mr Magpie." Many variations exist, others turn around three times and say: "Hello Mr Magpie, how are you today, where's your wife, your child and your family?" |
"Having such a ritual is extremely unusual," says Mr Roud. "The original form of these ritualistic sayings was about banishing the devil. It went 'devil, devil, I defy thee' and can be traced back to Shropshire in the 1880s." | "Having such a ritual is extremely unusual," says Mr Roud. "The original form of these ritualistic sayings was about banishing the devil. It went 'devil, devil, I defy thee' and can be traced back to Shropshire in the 1880s." |
Thankfully, for bird lovers, magpies are not viewed with universal suspicion. | Thankfully, for bird lovers, magpies are not viewed with universal suspicion. |
The magpie is the national bird of Korea, where it's seen as a bird of great good fortune, of sturdy spirit and a provider of prosperity and development. | The magpie is the national bird of Korea, where it's seen as a bird of great good fortune, of sturdy spirit and a provider of prosperity and development. |
Shamanism believes that the magpie's wisdom includes prophecy, intelligence and good luck. | Shamanism believes that the magpie's wisdom includes prophecy, intelligence and good luck. |
Maybe someone should tell the MEPs who recently called for a bounty of one euro to be placed on the head of all magpies, along with crows. | Maybe someone should tell the MEPs who recently called for a bounty of one euro to be placed on the head of all magpies, along with crows. |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |