Why are magpies called magpies?

Answer 1

I frequently have groups of magpies in my garden. I have seen up to nine birds at one time and 5 or 6 is a regular occurrence.

The most I have seen at any one time is 15 and they were sitting in a tree along the nature trail near to where I live. I didn't get them all in the photograph though.

Answer 2:

They're sometimes in groups, yes. Magpies have a mate for life and it's not uncommon to see a magpie with another one, though it's not uncommon in this area (i.e., Alberta, Canada, unlike the answerer from the UK up there) to find a lone magpie either. Quite often, unlike the first answerer above, I see more lone magpies or just a couple over half a dozen at a time.

But they're worse when in groups, especially when the young are ready to leave the nest, or if a group of magpies decide to cause chaos for dogs, cats or poultry. That's when it's time to bring the gun out to either scare them off or take one down and let them know they're not welcome here!

Answer 2

A group of magpies is called a tiding.

Answer 3

A group of magpies is known as one of the following:

* Tiding * Gulp * Murder * Charm The different names are the result of the magpies popular position in superstition and folk-lore.

Answer 4

You don't often see Magpies in groups of more than two or three.

Sometimes a few may roost near each other but not large flocks.

Answer 5

Yes magpies travel in flocks called tidings.

Answer 6

it was translated from the latin word magliopi meaning black and white flyer