Though the magpies numbers have increased considerably since being introduced they are not prolific breeders. Females rarely breed successfully until they are three years old and males may even be older. They usually rear only one chick. Nests are usually built high in exotic trees such as pines, macrocarpras, eucalyptus or willows. The nest is a bulky structure mainly of twigs and material such as barbed wire, match boxes, old spoons, glass and pieces of china, hence its name.
Magpies are very intelligent birds and can be kept as pets.
Some are reported to talk while others imitate a wide range of household noises. I take them to be a not altogether unwelcome addition to our meagre bird life.