Seen a magpie today? Or have you heard their tuneful song? If you live in Australia it’s virtually impossible for you to go a day without encountering these amazing birds. We delight in their song, respect their stature, laugh at their comical antics, care for them and await their next visit. Some of us feed them and have a close bond with a local magpie family. But in nesting season some magpies defend their youngsters by swooping pedestrians, cyclists and posties. They don’t all swoop and we don’t all get swooped, but people with magpie troubles have devised some fanciful creations to thwart the local swooper, like eyes on umbrellas and zip-ties on helmets! This book examines magpie society and our relationships with these intriguing birds. Read about their songs and mimicry, their territories and social hierarchies, how they parent and how they play. Our insights come from South Australians through Operation Magpie, a Citizen Science project that received close to 2,000 responses. The book includes many personal anecdotes and revelations that convey how we experience and connect with this iconic Australian bird. It is the second book in our Citizen Science series, following ‘The Possum-tail Tree’. The project and book were undertaken by researchers at the Barbara Hardy Centre, at the University of South Australia, in conjunction with 891ABC local radio. Collection can be arranged for books/DVDs; alternatively a freight charge may be applied. You will be advised of this cost, before payment is requested. Authors: Philip Roetman and Christopher DanielsCartoons: Ross BateupForeword: Matthew Abraham and David BevanPublisher: Crawford House Publiching