Australian Magpies are very family oriented, and are in groups of family members consisting of one dominant male, and usually two females. Their wonderful song early in the mornings can be heard almost Australia wide. During nesting time, July through to around January, they are fierce protectors of the nest, and will swoop on anything or anyone, whom they perceive as a threat to their young.

The females provide food for the young entirely, the male is the protector and guards fiercely. Many of the unsuspecting walkers have found themselves under attack, as they strike from behind, and can deliver a nasty blow with their beak to the head, neck, ears etc. People have been quite ingenious in finding ways to prevent swoopings. Carrying a small branch over their heads in the fashion of an umbrella, and some have taken to pasting false eyes on the backs of their hats, as magpies rarely swoop from the front.

At other times of the year, these lovely birds are quite sociable, and even compete with the Kookaburras for the household hand outs of meat. They can also be seen eating seed from wild bird seeders, although they are primarily a meat or insect eaters.

They build a strong but untidy looking cup shaped nest made of twigs, sometimes wire and other softer materials. They lay 2 or 3 eggs (streaked brown in color) of which the female hatches entirely alone.

Zoologists have classified Australian Magpies in eight subspecies with main two being the black backed and white backed Magpies.

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