Magpie Control &  Nest Removal Edmonton

All About Magpie

These birds fall into crow family while in appearacne comarativel small, thin body with distinctive black and white plumage, with a long graduated tail. 

Magpies build large and ​sturdy nests mainly on pine and spruce trees in urban areas while burrow sticks from others trees. Magpies breeding starts in early April and egg hatching starts in May.  It laid one clutch per year and each clutch had 5 to 8 eggs.  In rural areas shelterbelts are their favorite nesting locations, although nests may be found in low trees in pastures. Magpies are active year round, except during severe winter moves to dense tree locations for shelter or may migrate to warmer locations. 

Magpie Food Source 

As an omnivorous bird (eats a variety of other organisms, including plants, animals, and fungi) like a crow, and applies this character to find a variety of food especially in harsh winter areas. They eat what is most available, preferably eat insects and fruits, animals feed at farm in summer,  predation other bird nests and poultry;  dead or alive, even small baby bunnies and rodents.

Status Of Magpie In Alberta

Not being a migratory bird, it is not protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Because it can be a pest and it is not an endangered species this bird is not protected under the Alberta Wildlife Act. 

Control of Magpie

• Remove magpie food sources from your backyard will discourage magpies from using your property as a permanent feeding ground. e.g.  food waste and related materials, carrion, animal matter, pet food, debris, open garbage, etc.
• If possible cover any small fruit tree or vegetables on which magpies are being predated by nylon or plastic netting.
• Frightening devices such as scarecrows, big eye balloons, hawk kites, or reflective mylar tape can be used in gardens, fruit trees, and potential nesting or roosting structures.
• By continuing to use scaring or harassment efforts can be effective before their numbers increased or used to stay around your home e.g loud noises, water gun, throwing tennis ball, training of dog to chase them etc.     
• Destroy all old nests and thinning and pruning potentially magpie roosting and nest building trees or plants as they need closed and compact branches for nest building. This discouge mapie to build nests each year and instead encourages them to build nests somewhere else ( not protected in Alberta).  
• Install protective poultry nests  mesh no larger than ½″ around feeding areas and animal shelters.
• Removing or thinning roost trees will force magpies to new roosts. Usually the removal of only a few trees will discourage magpies. Frightening devices such as scarecrows, big eye balloons, hawk kites, or reflective mylar tape can be used in gardens, fruit trees, and potential nesting or roosting structures.
• There is no possibility of using  chemicals as repellents or to kill magpies.