It had long been rumoured the birds liked to decorate their nests with sparkly jewels but this has now been disputed by researchers at Exeter University.
The scientists held an experiment, which involved them piling up a number of shiny
objects, including foil rings and screws, along with ones painted in matt blue.
They then placed some food (nuts) next to the stack for the magpies to eat.
After 64 tests they found the birds only grabbed the shiny objects twice, and when they did they dropped them immediately.
After 64 tests they found the birds only grabbed the shiny objects twice, and when they did they dropped them immediately.
‘We did not find evidence of an unconditional attraction to shiny objects in magpies,’ said lead author of the report Dr Toni Shephard.
‘Instead, all objects prompted responses indicating neophobia – fear of new things.’
