A novel observation of food dunking in the Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen
E. Drinkwater, J. Ryeland, T. Haff, K.D.L. Umbers
pp. 95-97
Abstract
We document putative food-dunking behaviour in the Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen. While conducting an experiment on the Mountain Katydid Acripeza reticulata, we presented one to a wild adult Magpie, which appeared to conduct ‘dunking behaviour’ while processing the insect. The Magpie carried the katydid to a puddle of water, dunked the katydid, and then dropped it. A nearby juvenile Magpie then retrieved the katydid and performed the same dunking behaviour before eating the katydid. To our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of food dunking by Australian Magpies. We hope this observation will facilitate future investigations into behavioural adaptations to dietary choices of Magpies.
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