“I unintentionally elevated a magpie to godhood.”
What initially seemed like a clever solution turned into an unexpected phenomenon for Giulio Cuzilla in Australia. Faced with local magpies pilfering his cat’s outdoor food, he crafted a makeshift owl to act as a deterrent on his porch. However, the magpies didn’t retreat as expected.
Instead of being deterred, the magpies gathered en masse on Cuzilla’s porch, creating an unusual spectacle that appeared almost like reverence for the crafted owl. Cuzilla humorously remarked, “I accidentally made a magpie god.”
Animal behaviorist Gisela Kaplan provides insight, suggesting that the magpies are not expressing reverence but likely issuing warnings to the “newcomer” in their territory. According to Kaplan, the magpies’ calls serve as diplomatic niceties, signaling, “You’re stepping on our turf, and you should leave.”
“Inadvertently, I granted magpies deity status.”
In an attempt to thwart local magpies from frequenting his Australian home and stealing his cat’s food, Giulio Cuzilla devised a creative solution—a handmade owl to serve as a deterrent. However, the magpies, renowned for their intelligence and audacity, didn’t retreat. Instead, they congregated on Cuzilla’s porch, creating a scene that resembled reverence for the crafted owl.
Amused by the unexpected turn of events, Cuzilla humorously remarked, “I accidentally made a magpie god.” As he observed the magpies’ behavior more closely, he had a change of heart, gaining a newfound appreciation for the birds’ unique and endearing nature. Reflecting on their “funny ways,” he acknowledged, “you can see they’re pretty cute.”