Beloved or bully? Magpie crowned bird of Edmonton

The polls are finished and the city has decided the black-billed magpie is the official bird of Edmonton. This controversial bird has an undeniable and loud presence in our city. Impossible to avoid and smart as a whip, is the magpie a fitting bird to represent Edmonton? Or did we make an annoying bully the emblem of our city?

Edmonton is a bird-friendly city. The city has dedicated resources to being friendly to the many species of birds that live and thrive in Edmonton. Nature Alberta held a vote to decide once and for all, what bird represents Edmonton? The black-billed magpie came out on top, beating both the blue jay and the boreal chickadee. The magpie has an undeniable place in Edmonton, but what place that is depends on who you ask. Some will say it is a clever and talkative bird that contributes to the charm of our city. Others may say that the magpie is a horrible nuisance that preys on other species. Edmonton is special in that we blend urban and natural life within our beautiful city. No matter where you go, you will see the magpie.

Even looking at the comments on the article in the Edmonton Journal, people are up in arms. One commenter described the bird as “a nuisance bird that scavenges off others.” Another said that magpies are “noisy, overpopulated scavengers.” Not everyone seems to share this opinion. A Facebook page dedicated to Alberta birds has several posts promoting the magpie for how entertaining and clever they are. The Magpies’ Nests art installation has dedicated an entire park to promoting the magpie.

The black-billed magpie is the only species of magpie that is native to Canada. They play an important role in the environment as they control pests, consume carrion, and disperses seeds. They are stubborn, strong, and intelligent. They don’t leave when the going gets tough. Just like the people of Edmonton, magpies don’t skip town when it gets cold either. We’re both strong-willed, loud, and clever. Edmonton is known for our pride when it comes to sports and our city in general. We fly our blue, orange, and white proudly. Although people call us annoying, we don’t care.

Just like magpies, Edmonton is intelligent. We have even gained international attention for our efforts in promoting innovation. Our city is smart, and finds new ways to face challenges. We never give up. The same is true for the magpies that live in our city. They are resilient, strong, and work together to better their species. Our city stands out in Alberta because we are hardy and work together. People often see magpies as thieves, but they are resourceful opportunists. Edmonton’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit mirrors that of the magpie.

The magpie is the perfect bird to represent Edmonton. Other cities may promote quieter and well–behaved birds, but not us. We are loud, unruly, stubborn, and strong. The magpie embodies the spirit of our city. We will continue to change and adapt no matter what life throws at us. Just like Edmonton, the magpie is not perfect, but it is charming, smart, and resilient. The magpie may be loud and sometimes annoying, but that does not diminish their value and place in Edmonton. Similarly, our pride and unruliness do not diminish our place in Canada. Instead, it sets us apart from the rest of the country, and establishes us as a beautiful and unique place that plays a major role in our nation.