Scientist trains magpies to exchange bottle caps for food using high-tech bird feeder 

An expert in robotics and artificial intelligence has trained wild magpies to trade-in discarded bottles caps in exchange for food. Hans Forsberg constructed a DIY ‘birdbox’ consisting of a dispenser that releases food pellets and another compartment fitted with sensors to detect when a cap is dropped into a hole. A YouTube video shows a bird, … Read more

Light pollution interrupts the sleeping patterns of magpies and pigeons, study finds

City-dwellers are urged to switch off their garden lamps at night as light pollution interrupts the sleeping patterns of magpies and pigeons Lost sleep can impact a bird’s ability to forage, defend itself and find a mate Experts from Australia measured brain activity in sleeping magpies and pigeons They found light disrupted the animals’ sleep — with pigeons … Read more

Female magpies are louder and chattier than males new research reveals

Female magpies are louder and chattier than males, researchers have found New research has revealed female magpies are chattier and louder than males   Magpies were found to be some of the world’s most vocally complex songbirds Their calls are similar to human communication and can last for 70 minutes  Magpies can also communicate well enough … Read more