Let’s go Magpies!

Avians can be just as cool as crabs!

But first, humans - we have a gross habit of restricting the movement of animals, including other ‘undesirable’ elements of our own species through anti-rough sleeper spikes, and nodules to stop skateboarders using what is often called ‘evil architecture’.

Recent findings from around the world, but notably in the urban centres of Northern Europe have found that the especially rebellious streak usually found in crab museum fans is also present in birds. Researchers in Antwerp identified a huge Magpie nest constructed of thousands of anti-bird spikes.

These industrious birds have been fighting back to reclaim areas they had been restricted from, by actively tearing off anti-bird spikes and making their own super-safe, anti-other-bird nests.

A nest is meant to be a safe place, so by taking advantage of these horrible spikes, birds can create nearly impregnable fortresses to raise their young.

The natural world will always try to adapt to the violence imposed on it by humans, and birds are no dummies, they’ve found a material that works for them and they’ll make use of it. The spikes provide protection, but also stability for the twigs and branches, especially on sloping surfaces.

This is not the only way that birds reinvent and adapt to these spikes, some Peregrine Falcons will impale their prey to consume at a later date. Which like the skateboarders banned from public spaces, is pretty gnarly, bro.

P.C: Hiemstra, A.F., Moeliker, C.W., Gravendeel, B. & Schilthuizen, M. 2023 - Bird nests made from anti-bird spikes - Deinsea 21: 17 - 25