Whispers of spring arrive sooner each year, spurred by the magpies’ early efforts. For the past two weeks, a pair has constructed their nest in a Norway maple across the street, visible during morning coffee rituals.
Winter Nesting Patterns
Magpies align with corvid relatives like rooks and ravens, initiating nests in winter—sometimes by December. Two weeks into construction, they reinforce a bowl-shaped platform nestled in a fork of three upper branches. Swinging tails create a graceful, almost balletic display as twigs slot into place.
Hands-On Building Style
Closer inspection reveals persistence trumps finesse. Unlike birds weaving fine sprigs, these magpies select thick hazel sticks and hammer them relentlessly with bills. Several tumble over the edge, sparking evident confusion—more akin to determined karate than elegant dance.
Neighborly Rivalries and Innovations
Just 100 meters away, another pair erects a protective cover over an ash-twig base atop an alder tree, shielding against predators and showcasing corvid intelligence. The first pair tolerates distant work but erupts into rooftop pursuits—raucous chack-chacking and posturing—when intruders near. Suspicions arise from twig thefts spotted at an abandoned field maple nest nearby.
Rest Before Reproduction
Treetop activity soon pauses for weeks, preceding egg-laying. Meanwhile, early nesters like long-tailed tits craft delicate moss-and-lichen domes in the understory, contrasting magpies’ robust builds. These birds exemplify tenacity: repeated bashing yields success where subtlety falters.
