Update on this story: the black-and-white menace swooped in just before the Guardian and BirdLife Australia poll closed to take out the hotly contested title ahead of the white ibis by 826 votes.
As you can see from the top 10 tally above, both birds were well ahead of their nearest rival, the kookaburra which earned just 10,953 votes.
On social media, many users questioned why two birds – one best known as the bane of cyclists, walkers and small children everywhere and the other famous for eating out of rubbish bins – came out on top.
BirdLife Australia’s Sean Dooley told the ABC: “They’re incredible birds and they have an amazing vocal range,” he said.
“Magpies are easily tamed and people have a great connection with them. They love to feed them.”
Others weren’t convinced however, with some even labelling the win Australia’s ‘Trump moment’.
I have to agree. Next spring, when you’re being swooped by one of these feathered fiends just remember Australia – you voted for this.
Discussion1 Comment
All you have to do is feed them a few scraps and you will never be swooped.