This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28797519
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Magpies 'don't steal shiny objects' | Magpies 'don't steal shiny objects' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Magpies do not steal trinkets and are positively scared of shiny objects, according to new research. | Magpies do not steal trinkets and are positively scared of shiny objects, according to new research. |
The study appears to redeem the myth of the “thieving magpie”, which pervades European folklore. | The study appears to redeem the myth of the “thieving magpie”, which pervades European folklore. |
It is widely believed that magpies have a compulsive urge to steal sparkly things for their nests. | It is widely believed that magpies have a compulsive urge to steal sparkly things for their nests. |
But Exeter University scientists show that the birds are actually nervous of such objects, presumably because they are novel and may prove dangerous. | But Exeter University scientists show that the birds are actually nervous of such objects, presumably because they are novel and may prove dangerous. |
The study involved a pile of shiny items (metal screws, small foil rings, and a small rectangular piece of aluminium foil), and a pile of the same objects covered with matt blue paint. | The study involved a pile of shiny items (metal screws, small foil rings, and a small rectangular piece of aluminium foil), and a pile of the same objects covered with matt blue paint. |
Researchers placed mounds of edible nuts just 30cm away from each of the collected objects. In 64 tests during feeding, magpies picked up a shiny object only twice - and discarded it immediately. | Researchers placed mounds of edible nuts just 30cm away from each of the collected objects. In 64 tests during feeding, magpies picked up a shiny object only twice - and discarded it immediately. |
The birds essentially ignored or avoided both shiny and blue objects, and often fed less when they were present. | The birds essentially ignored or avoided both shiny and blue objects, and often fed less when they were present. |
Lead author Dr Toni Shephard said: “We did not find evidence of an unconditional attraction to shiny objects in magpies. Instead, all objects prompted responses indicating neophobia – fear of new things. | Lead author Dr Toni Shephard said: “We did not find evidence of an unconditional attraction to shiny objects in magpies. Instead, all objects prompted responses indicating neophobia – fear of new things. |
“We suggest that humans notice when magpies occasionally pick up shiny objects because they believe the birds find them attractive, while it goes unnoticed when magpies interact with less eye-catching items. It seems likely that the folklore surrounding them is a result of cultural generalisation and anecdotes rather than evidence.” | “We suggest that humans notice when magpies occasionally pick up shiny objects because they believe the birds find them attractive, while it goes unnoticed when magpies interact with less eye-catching items. It seems likely that the folklore surrounding them is a result of cultural generalisation and anecdotes rather than evidence.” |
Righting old wrongs | Righting old wrongs |
The scientists – psychologists from the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) - undertook the study after an internet search uncovered just two published accounts of magpies actually stealing shiny things: a missing engagement ring found in a nest in 2008, and a magpie in Rochdale stealing keys, coins, and a spanner from an automotive garage a year earlier. | The scientists – psychologists from the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) - undertook the study after an internet search uncovered just two published accounts of magpies actually stealing shiny things: a missing engagement ring found in a nest in 2008, and a magpie in Rochdale stealing keys, coins, and a spanner from an automotive garage a year earlier. |
Dr Shephard told BBC News: "Some birds do use eye-catching objects in the nest after mating occurs, like black kites, to warn off potential predators. But we had already looked inside a dozen magpie nests and not seen any shiny objects. So, I was not expecting magpies to use objects for this purpose." | Dr Shephard told BBC News: "Some birds do use eye-catching objects in the nest after mating occurs, like black kites, to warn off potential predators. But we had already looked inside a dozen magpie nests and not seen any shiny objects. So, I was not expecting magpies to use objects for this purpose." |
The test may challenge the Collins English Dictionary definition of the magpie as "a person who hoards small objects". | The test may challenge the Collins English Dictionary definition of the magpie as "a person who hoards small objects". |
It may prompt calls for a belated revision of the libretto of Rossini's opera La Gazza Ladra (The thieving magpie), which features a servant girl sentenced to death for a series of silver thefts actually committed by a magpie. | |
It may upset, too, the publishers of The Tintin comic The Castafiore Emerald, in which a prized gem is stolen by a magpie. | It may upset, too, the publishers of The Tintin comic The Castafiore Emerald, in which a prized gem is stolen by a magpie. |
But the research is not conclusive – yet. Due to the nature of the test with fixed feeding stations, the scientists could only assess "married" magpies that inhabit a set territory. Single magpies without a steady partner are less predictable in their feeding habits. | But the research is not conclusive – yet. Due to the nature of the test with fixed feeding stations, the scientists could only assess "married" magpies that inhabit a set territory. Single magpies without a steady partner are less predictable in their feeding habits. |
So maybe, just maybe, it is bachelor birds wanting to woo potential mates with silver rings that have sullied the birds’ name. | So maybe, just maybe, it is bachelor birds wanting to woo potential mates with silver rings that have sullied the birds’ name. |
Follow Roger on Twitter: @rharrabin | Follow Roger on Twitter: @rharrabin |