General

Magpies are common around the Canterbury region. They are easily identifiable by their black and white markings and noisy warbling call.  Magpies prefer areas where intensive pastoral farming occurs or other areas of open grassland with tall trees, which provide good nesting sites and lookouts.  Although magpies are often witnessed bombing or chasing off native birds, scientific research indicates they are not directly responsible for any native birds' decline. However, it is noted that visual observations have witnessed the number of open pasture bird species increasing following magpie control.

Adverse effects of magpies

Magpies are particularly aggressive during the nesting season which begins in June/July and may run through to January.  It is around this time that magpies display territorial behaviour as they patrol up to 5 hectares, bombarding people and other birds.  When humans enter magpie territories they may continuously bomb & swoop while emitting a clacking sound from their beak as an additional warning. This behaviour generally does not physically harm the intended victim, but is used to scare them away. If you get in this situation or are nervous about having to walk through a magpie area, it pays to hold an object above your head (e.g., a tall stick) as they tend to swoop for the highest point.

Environment Canterbury's role

Magpies are not included in the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS) for control or enforcing landowners to undertake control, but Environment Canterbury can advise on control methods.

Control methods

Options include poisoning, shooting and trapping

Poisoning

The most widely used poison for magpie control is Alphachloralose. 
Alphachloralose is a narcotic that effectively anaesthetises birds when consumed. Winter and early spring is the best time to incorporate Alphachloralose into magpie control as the birds are more likely to accept offered food when weather is cooler. 

For best poisoning results, pre-feed the birds without the bait so they become familiar with both the food source and locality and become less suspicious. 

1. Pre-feed Magpies with small chunks of bread. Lay in open, ungrazed areas where the Magpies have been observed frequenting. Pre-feeding should last for 3-10 days or to the stage where magpies are settling into the routine of readily accepting offered bread.
   NOTE: Setting bait in the open should discourage non-target native birds from feeding, as natives are generally less comfortable with foraging in open areas. Scattering small pieces of rolled tinfoil in the vicinity can help attract magpies directly to the bait.
2. Keep to a fixed routine when pre-feeding. Try to put bait out at the same time everyday and approach/depart baited area via the same route.
3. Note how much bait is being consumed so you are able to assess the approximate amount to be offered when poisoning.
4. Cut the quantity of pre-feed baits by half the day before you poison with Alphachloralose.   There should be less Alphachloralose treated bait made available than non-toxic bait used during pre-feeding.
   NOTE: Try to poison during a day where weather is forecast to be cool, to reduce the likelihood of non-target birds taking bait.
5. Add Alphachloralose paste to the bread following the manufactures instructions. 
   NOTE: One piece of Alphachloralose laced bread is approximately enough to comatose one magpie; however, scatter a few extra pieces to ensure there is enough for each bird.
6. Once Alphachloralose bait is laid, observe baited area from a hidden position. Note the directions magpies leave the bait site.
7. Following the departure of the last magpie (or after first sign of birds displaying narcotic symptoms), scour areas in the approximate direction(s) the magpies flew to and gather up the comatose birds in a sack at 30 minute to 1-hour intervals.
8. Dispose of magpies humanely by placing in freezer, breaking neck or cutting head off with an axe.
9. Bury or burn the dead birds to prevent secondary poisoning in other animals that may consume carcasses.
10. Collect all uneaten bait and dispose of it.
11. Following the collection of baits, check the treated area approximately 45 minutes-1 hour afterwards to ensure all magpies have been collected.

NOTE: If non-target birds have accidentally come into contact with baits you can revive them by placing in a warm area to prevent death from hypothermia that will occur if left outside in a cool environment.
Although Alphachloralose used for bird control is not highly toxic ALWAYS read and follow the manufactures warning & guide label prior use. 

Shooting (Permitted in rural areas only)

Shooting is not recommended for eradicating a large number of birds as you may successfully eliminate a few birds but make the rest of the population suspicious/wary of further attempts.

Suitable weapons include shotgun or at greater distances any rifle from .22 to a .223 are appropriate. ALWAYS consider your firing zone when using rifles and shotguns.

Birds can be shot as you see them or alternatively the use of a magpie's distress call can be incorporated. The use of magpie and predatory bird decoys around the hidden music player can add realism and provide a specific target area for magpies to investigate. Using this method is useful as it allows the shooter the opportunity to find /create a concealed site with a clear view of the decoys/target area.

Leave shot birds as a further attractant.

Trapping

The Larsen Trap is the most popular trap for capturing magpies.  A Larsen trap is generally made up of 3 or more separate compartments.  One compartment is reserved for a ‘bait’ bird known as a call bird or ‘Judas’. All compartments possess their own external door set open. Doors are sprung shut when a magpie sits or disturbs a perch used to hold open the compartment door, trapping the magpie inside. Call birds are initially caught and lodged in a central compartment of the trap.

To capture a call bird

1. Position the Larsen trap in an open area known for magpies and is unlikely to be disturbed.
2. Scatter bread around the entranceways to the trap
3. Bait the actual compartments with a piece of meat, fat or dog roll and potentially a mirror or rolled up pieces of tinfoil to act as an additional attractant.
4. Once a call bird is caught, carefully extract it from the compartment and place in central section of the trap.
5. Reset external entrances and wait for other magpies to be caught as the call bird acts as an attractant. Bait may also still be required to further entice other magpies.
6. Check traps daily; on dark if possible, so other target birds don’t grow suspicious. It is illegal to hold a live animal in a trap for more then 24 hours.
7. To extract caught magpies (thick gloves recommend), open compartment and handle the bird around the back/neck region. Kill magpies by either breaking neck or cutting the head off with a small axe or machete.

NOTE: Call birds should be looked after well with an ample supply of water, food (dog roll ideal), a fixed perch and shelter from the elements (often Larsen traps have a wooden compartment for this reason). Replace call birds reasonably regularly as they tend to become tame and their distress vocalization ceases/lessens.

For magpie control, contact

Excell pest control  (03) 325 1103