Magpie Death Ritual

In July of 2013 a Magpie died on our front street in Saskatoon and we witnessed what we believe is a Magpie death ritual. It lasted about 10 minutes as a large number of Magpies came down and seemed to express their grief over their lost comrade.
Magpie rituals have been written about by Dr. Marc Bekoff of the University of Colorado.

[@theintunity]

Magpies can live 25-30 years and are highly socially intelligent. This was a big deal for them.

[@Bruh845]

Woah, that’s cool

[@coloradostatesenatorsteven7443]

Ravens too

[@MUSIC483]

So sad

[@mg6844]

Had no idea they could live to that age .. thanks for sharing that 👍

[@3starperfectdeer233]

A bird with a long lifespan that mates for life and mourn for several minutes..thats a big deal to me

[@chillbrobraggins383]

What's crazy is this bird will never know that at least five million people attended his funeral

[@CAwildflowers]

Oh, the bird knows.

[@CopyrightStruck]

Ok

[@wmrme9084]

It's pretty normal to not know how many people showed up to your funeral dude.

[@robertcarter8600]

@@wmrme9084 Bad habits are hard to go.

[@rla1000]

@@wmrme9084 Despite the solemnity of this occasion, lamo.

[@mikem3789]

Proof/evidence of birds having a public memorial funeral service, mourning, expressing their grief at loss, the loss of one of their own. Rest In Peace, sweet bird, fly high. 🕊

[@creuvette29]

As I hear a raven above them I suppose they are protecting their friend from them.

[@I_Shit_on_your_shit_point]

Proof/evidence that you’re dishonest

[@lifeisabitch_]

Да какой моурнинг, всё, что они делают - это оповещают сородичей об опасности

[@theswordofthespiritspeakstoyou]

how is this a public ceremony?? your eyes have a filter. there is only one bird who actually seems to care about it, probably were close to each other, the yelling you interpret as mourning from what you would feel, there is no proof of that, you would have to be the bird to know. but you assume. at the same time as another guy said they might actually be noisy because of another bird preying above them. public funerals are a sick death ritual… dead bodies are dead, the spirit has left the body, why spend time on a dead body? the person is not there anymore. Just dig a hole and throw the body into it, mourn in your heart and get on with life, dont make a show for it, dont spend a fortune on death, dont waste too much time making it bigger than it is. Imagine, there are cultures that celebrate when someone dies because they believe they have moved on to a better place. Jesus said: let the dead bury their dead, but you follow Me (life)! practices of the catholic church are false, giving death so much attention, do not align with scripture.

[@TheTuttle99]

Wow a lot to take from a short video. But it's not proof/lol evidence of that at all. That's clearly your own biases coming in. What it is proof of is magpies acting a particular way around one of their dead. To say so definitively that it's because of your own reasoning is ridiculous

[@TheBookofEliTheGreat]

“This individual was a great brother, son, husband, and father. He is survived by 3 amazing children. He lived a full and vibrant life”- Pastor Magpie

[@MarkSmith-ym5td]

In Australia our Magpies are notorious for swooping in the Spring. I am a regular walker and one day while on one of these walks I came across a very large Magpie with its head stuck in a wire fence. About 15 other Magpies around it were squawking and warbling very loudly as if sounding an alarm. I careful untangled the magpie from the fence while the others looked on in a tree just above my head. Cupping his wings I released the bird throwing him up into the air were he flew into the adjacent tree. The other Magpies began to sing and warble as if in celebration. To this day I have never been swooped by any of the local Magpies but have witnessed others being swooped right in front of me. We have an understanding the Magpies and I.

[@deaddoveinside]

I know crows can remember faces for up to 3 years, maybe that’s true with magpies

[@kingcosworth2643]

@@deaddoveinside All part of the same family, sharpest birds in existence

[@UlyssesFiles]

Ah that’s so cool 👌🏻

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Nice story. The antipodean magpie is extremely territorial particularly when nesting, but it is not related to the northern magpie. They just look a little bit similar. Nice to know they are similarly intelligent

[@PestilentAllosaurus]

I have a friendly relationship with the Northwestern Crows that live in my neighborhood. They're usually very timid towards people. It was.... 20 or so years ago? But it was a social experiment of sorts to feed them everyday. At first it was the entire colony..but then it was just two for years and years. A mated couple I nicknamed. The shy male was Spirit, the outgoing curious female was Blackwing. I watched them raise broods and teach them habits. Majority of them went their own way, but all the crows don't fear me. Blackwing passed away 8 years after I first met her, how old was she I'm not sure. But despite that her mate Spirit kept visiting me despite how shy he was. He always ALWAYS had to prepare his food in certain ways. Be it dipping in water, rubbing against trees, [for Sap? I dunno.] 3 years later he too.... just disappeared. I assume he also passed away. It's been a long time since I got personal with the crows. Yet still I recognize the children or grandchildren of my pair because of the unique learned habits and special spots they were taught or learned from passed down knowledge. Today, I decided to start up again. And got a nutty energy bar and a peice of nut & seed bread. I was amazed they, despite so long since I have done the feeding ritual, they remembered what to do, and it was as if I had never stopped. I grabbed a little more food since they called out and realized they had their own offspring to share the food with. So I offered a little more with the energy bar and this time as I nicknamed this male "Noctis" coaxed one of his kids to the spot to teach them. Then made me so happy dipping it in the sane water spot. There was two younger crows. I've named the newer female I didn't recognize as "Umbra" to go with a new theme. Not sure the genders of the two flying fledgling yet, as they're still smaller than their parents but yeah. Thinking "Spectra/Specter" & "Korva/Korvo" But sincerely, it's amazing and wonderful hearing tales of corvids learning which people are friendly, which ones they should be wary of, and which are enemies. And they pass down that knowledge as well as spread it to other colonies.

[@Silkendrum]

Magpies mate for life, so it's likely one of those funeral attendants is the bereaved spouse.

[@chriswolfe7830]

+Silkendrum - I was going to mention that as well. It's heartbreaking. :(

[@EphemeralProductions]

+Silkendrum so sad and cute!

[@BrekMartin]

They are dependent young begging for food.

[@Silkendrum]

+Brek Martin I believe their tails are too long to be dependent juveniles.

[@Silkendrum]

+Dmytro Bidnyk Thank you for your vote of confidence. I have no experience with magpies, but I do know that ravens do the same thing.

[@yes12337]

I saw seagulls doing something similar. Also I noticed magpies really like having conversations with humans, especially when they're alone. I like to whistle when I'm in a forest and check which birds will answer and magpies are the most keen on having a chat and sometimes can make some really unusual soft sounds, that are not to be heard in other situations. I really like them, even though they tend to be aggressive towards other animals. They will also always warn you with a loud squawking that someone is coming

[@Kallogee]

Should never whistle in a forest, theres no telling what you can conjure up.

[@TheGamingCrow]

Magpies are crows, and they have the cognitive abilities of a 7 yo child. They *do* understand what's going on. Being a birdowner for decades I also recognize the one magpies behaviour, picking the dead bird. It's trying to get it up on its feet again, and it's its partner. Pulling the feathers means something like "hey, stand up", "come on, back on your feet" - a state of denial, basically.

[@laelcellier1673]

Unsure : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZzEe6lurNeBnMk

[@ellen4956]

A crow brought me a dead baby crow once, and other crows came along and they cawed at me. I carefully buried it in the back yard in a nice spot. One of them brought an old earring and some other shiny things to me a couple of days later and left them on the porch where it had left the baby bird. They know more than most people believe they do and they communicate well.

[@Jafmanz]

Odins birds. Hugin and Munin... Hugin represents 'memory' and Munin represents 'thought'

[@ChristAlways]

Praises to the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, the Judge and Savior of all his creation Christ, who by his death redeemed the world, and in his great mercy and love only requires from us these simple things to have everlasting life, to repent and turn from sins and sin no more, live righteously, love others as yourself, and Believe he is the one true God, continue in this way and you will conquer all fear and sins, and inherit eternal life with our King.

[@matthewnelson325]

Thank you for sharing this unique experience ! 😊

[@user-gg6lr2lc1v]

😢😢😢😢smarter than alot of people 😊

[@patrik3482]

Yeah... that's bullshit made up for fishing likes, Disney princess.

[@daphneraven6745]

The crows do that as well in my area. Occasionally, they will have regular roundtable type meetings, where they literally stand around in a ring. Each knows when it’s his or her turn to speak, and the consequences are pretty rough for anybody who doesn’t know it’s in her place. But when one dies, it’s a very catastrophic thing for them. They call in every crow from far and wide. The whole flock participates. It’s so obvious that they’re heartbroken.

[@midsein]

I wish you could record and share one of their meetings.

[@daphneraven6745]

@@midsein : Certainly, I can keep an eye out for the next one. The last one that I was privileged to witness was spring before last.That one was held from the treetops. They basically surrounded a meadow on the neighbours’ property, & conducted their meeting from their backyard, and then my parents’ yard plus the neighbour on the other

[@babydragon4813]

The blue Jays don't let crows into our neighborhood until the fall. We saw a group of about 5 or 6 crows being chased into a walnut tree and the juvenile blue Jays were joining in

[@LauraAmanda8888]

That's amazing I would love to see it !

[@daphneraven6745]

@@babydragon4813 . Where I live, the crows live year-round, but the jays only come in the spring. So the crows have the advantage over the jays. Your territory is very firmly established you’re around, and since the Jays are not around in the colder months, they might not get the same say.

[@jhvorlicky]

Birds are so smart. We have a budgie, called Kiwi. One day I was busy working on our campervan, in the yard. Kiwi was sitting, as usual, on top of his cage, at the kitchen window, looking out, watching me work. Now, we always have the door open, and a few times he has flown outside to be with us. But very rarely. He seems very happy to be in our home. But this day, I was lying on the ground, fixing something under the van. I was concentrating very hard, it was very fiddly work, just hands. It was warm, I was wearing shorts and only my legs were protruding, and they were completely stationary as I focussed all my effort on the task. Suddenly, I felt the unmistakable sensation of his little talons on my leg. I didn't want to panic him, so moved only my head gently to look at him. He skipped silently along my body, to my chest and sat there for a moment, looking sideways at me. I whistled his favourite whistle, and then, apparently satisfied I was OK, he chirruped loudly, said his catchphrase "kiwi cute bird", and skipped off back to the house. As he went, I swear I heard him mutter, "bloody hell, mate, I thought you were dead or something!"

[@chinchirap]

Thats amazing, i believe you!

[@ariruuu]

Yeah it was believable until that last line LMAOOO. #cap

[@jhvorlicky]

You're right. Actually, he took it up with me later in the afternoon over cream teas.

[@lasersummit7895]

today on stories that didnt happen

[@jhvorlicky]

Which bit? 😂 OK you got me he didn't take it up with later. But the rest is true or I am the King of England.

[@DH-gk8vh]

My husband passed in April, then our dog one week ago. My cat, who is just over a year old began throwing up the next day after I had to put our dog down. He went 3 days without eating, was hiding from me and I got really worried and took him to the emergency vet. Same place I took our dog. They did a big workup on him and couldn't find anything wrong. The vet said they think he was stressed and knew our dog died. After searching online what I learned was he knew things have changed when my husband never came home, but he also knows I'm in a very different emotional place. He's probably seen me cry when I wasn't aware. I had improve over more than 3.5 months, then our dog died and I went right back into deeply grieving and he became stressed enough it made him sick. He knows something has happened. Whether he knows they've both died I don't know. Something has changed in me though. My cat of 13 years passed May 19th, 2022. I then got my cat I have now a month later. He was born May 3rd. Then my husband passed this April and my dog a week ago. I have what had been my entire family that lived directly with me pass away. My kids are grown and married and live out of state except one. I'll be ok, but I have to rebuild my life. I'm retired now so I've had plenty of time to lick my wounds, but my cat doesn't understand. So, I'm trying to pick myself and dust myself off. For me and my cat. Those beautiful birds know something is very wrong. How much they understand death is hard to say, but they look like their in that first stage, denial. Kiss your loved ones and tell them you love them. You never know when it will be the last time.

[@Odo55]

🙏🏼❤🤲🏽💖🐾🕊

[@guccibreard]

I sincerely hope you can live a peaceful life even if your loved ones are not in this world anymore! I lost my mom one week before my birthday on July 21st 2012 and my dad on April 14th, 2015 and my dog was murdered by one of my "friends" in June 2016 so be assured that I feel you! ❤ May I recommend a book that can help you embrace life and death as we all go through this in our lives? It's Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch it's several books but the one I recommend to you is Home with God-In a Life that never ends I hope you'll read it as I did because since then I am no longer afraid to die! I hope your cat gets well soon too! I wish you the best and sending prayers for both of you XxxxX With all my love, Jessie ❤ (Sorry English is not my first language😅)

[@yolooo5081]

Best of luck, adult loneliness suck.

[@yolooo5081]

Hope one day, you will feel okay again.

[@Zenheizer]

Very sorry for your loss

[@katfishkobain8809]

When I was young, a watched a squirrel pull its mate, who was killed, off the road into the woods. I never forgot after all these years

[@WonderfulWorldofAwesomeness]

💔

[@AlPootis]

The one who did that

[@AlPootis]

Will be ruined

[@DeltaPi314]

You do know that squirrels are necrophiles, right?

[@darayoo5677]

@@DeltaPi314 Really??

[@IceHibiscus]

For anyone that may appreciate this, magpies are Corvids, which are the family that crows and ravens belong to. This family has, as common traits, the ability to do math, deduce answers to physical puzzles, and have all the emotions needed for social lives. Like many of their relatives, these magpies have funerary customs. Ravens are known to gather when they find out one of their own has died, much like these magpies encircling the departed. Rather than on the ground, they do it from the tops of trees. They have lines of sight to each other and they call out across the hills and flats to memorialize the raven they are saying goodbye to. We will never fully understand or appreciate the nuance of what they feel about life and death and community. These magpies are no different. It doesn't matter how small you may be. Their calls may not echo off of distant valleys, but it is no less feeling. I wish that people gave birds more credit.

[@misszangz499]

Birds of all kind are incredibly intelligent and have such an array of emotions. I refuse to eat chickens or ducks or birds of any kind.. I also don’t think birds should be pets if they are stuck in a cage for life 😞 the everyday humans just have no idea..

[@keef78]

They also have the ability to murder other baby birds.....

[@IceHibiscus]

@@keef78 On one Galapagos island, there is a sub-species of finch that is relatively new. The shifting of this lineage is steering them from foraging. They are small and nimble, as a result the blue-footed booby babies have no defense against them as they drink their blood. Sadly these larger bird juveniles can die in the nest by this vampirism. This is a tale as old as time. Eventually, the booby population here will make adaptations so that the babies will not be as defenseless. This is how nature takes its course. But, ... let's go primates, and great apes, where we are. Chimpanzees are pretty savage, monkeys are their fellow primate and chimpanzees are known to grab them and eat them alive. And, let's not get started on humans.

[@IceHibiscus]

@@tahwsisiht The avian forebrain has areas called hub nodes. In mammals, we developed by expanding the forebrain to create more specialized capabilities. Not being a biologist of any kind, I would hypothesize that later theropods toward the bird lineage couldn't afford to have their skulls expand to accommodate specialized substrates. Special areas getting denser was probably the best way to adapt to more complex niches. Anyhow, the avian brain has been given more attention in the last decade. Good stuff.

[@chrismoles861]

@@keef78 Humans have the ability to murder babies of their own as well. And often do. And we're supposed to be the most intelligent creatures on this planet. So what's your point?

[@i_drive.]

I had a paralyzed bird with a disability, she lived with me for a year. Could never fly or walk because of her sickness, this reminded me of her :') my dad had found her getting thrown around by my cats, rescued and fed her for a year. We would sit with her on the roof and she would just stare at the sky and other birds for hours. Maybe her only dream was to fly again, be with the other birds but life was cruel to her. She passed away on new year's 2022. Rest in peace, I hope her dream came true in heaven. ❤

[@knabdank]

keep your cats inside next time so they dont go around mangling wildlife just so you can make some dumb comment

[@i_drive.]

@@knabdank I used to take care of over 20+ stray cats, it was their playtime when they got out. I can't control how a wild animal behaves, catching and hunting preys is something that comes naturally to all felines. It's not their fault, they probably thought the bird was a toy. If you don't like my comment, you can scroll past it instead of being disrespectful. It's totally uncalled for.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

@@knabdankHas anyone ever told you you have that toxic woke personality that every absolutely HATES? Learn to use what's left of that half-rotten peanut inside your skull.

[@Dryadkal]

There is a video on KZbin of a bear sitting himself next to a fisherman in I think Alaska. Just sitting and taking in the view seemingly. Kinship between humans and animals can be very deep if you're open enough. I felt moved by your story of the bird. I hope too ir flies again in Heaven. A neighbour of mine takes care of cats in the neighboorhood. We live in not the prettiest part of town and not every owner takes care of their cats sadly enough. She feeds them, and sometimes they join my living room and cuddle with me on the couch before they go again. Like a visit. One cat knows exactly when I'm upset and then it suddenly shows up, knows when I can cuddle up or gives me space. We also have magpie couples in the trees. Love these animals, and the friendship that initiates from both sides. God bless you

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

@@DryadkalMaybe the bear knew the guy regularly catches fish and that if he waits patiently, he will also get a couple.

[@bekirkakasson163]

Near where I used to live when growing up, there was a small forest area with ponds that always had families of ducks. We often went there as a small family outing to be in nature, play, and feed the ducks. I believe it was a protected area with a road somewhat closeby. The ducks recognized us at times and even let their ducklings walk up to us unaccompanied to get food, with them even sitting on our shoes while eating. One day when going there we heard a duck quacking further down the road you had to pass to get to the area, and went over to see what was happening since nothing like it had happened before. A male duck at the side of the road was quacking angrily at the cars passing by, and we saw a dark lump behind him. It turned out to be his dead mate, who was most likely hit by a car not long ago. We could feel his anger and sadness as he sat there protecting her remains. I still remember exactly how he looked at us as we approached, recognizing us and becoming quiet; almost expectant. We all walked up and greeted him like we usually did with the ducks, and then just crouched quietly in a half-circle around his dead mate. He even came up and sat right next to me, letting me pet his head gently. After being there for a while and talking to him, my father went back to get gardening gloves and a shovel so we could bury her in the forest. He let us carry his mate and followed closely after, watching as we dug a small hole and placed her in it. Almost as if saying his goodbyes, he sat there occasionally quacking quietly and laying on the ground next to her. We went around the area as we originally intended when getting there, and passed by again on the way back to see if he was still there. He still laid on the ground, getting up as we approached. He looked at us almost expectantly, and my father sat down next to where the grave was while talking to him, but I forgot what he said exactly. My father started covering her with dirt, and he watched intently as his mate disappeared more and more. After it was finished, we marked the grave with stones in a U-shape around the treetrunk, leaving for the day as we said goodbye to the duck now sitting on the grave. We returned many times, seeing him around on occassion and giving him food. Suddenly one day we never saw him again, as if he had disappeared completely or moved somewhere else. We also moved around 6 years after we helped him, but I still return at times because it's a nice area; and to see the grave. I even carved a sort of gravestone into the largest rock the day before we moved when I was still a kid, it simply said: Duck

[@Twisttheawesome]

All joking aside - Magpies are incredibly intelligent animals, and in fact have remarkable self-awareness. They are one of the few species of animals in the world able to recognise themself in a mirror, and... Have been recorded as literally experiencing grief. These birds may have literally been mourning the dead.

[@smiledogjgp]

@@brianlacroix822 Man, I've seen you a couple times in these comments and you sure have a lot of vehemence for magpies. What happened man? Get pecked too many times as a kid?

[@nyx3967]

@@smiledogjgp He's clearly either a) a psychopath or b) just really hates himself and everything else alive. Very sad either way.

[@Cheesus-Sliced]

Most animals experience grief, including cows

[@1ztype343]

@@smiledogjgp I guess you can say he was pecked on by bigger birds

[@shrimpyalfredo3933]

@@smiledogjgp he must be australian Their magpies hate australians!

[@wideawake5630]

I once came upon a goose funeral while rowing on my lake. The deceased floated with head dangling unseen in the water while another I assumed was its mate made tight circles around the corpse honking mournfully. The rest of their community circled them farther out then joined in the dirge. After a few minutes they swam off single file. A few minutes more and the widowed goose followed. It was beautiful but heartbreaking.

[@jasonvoorhees5640]

how do you know you didn't just witness the end of a goose murder?

[@snickerswo1f519]

How is it beautiful 😭

[@Eldoofus]

@@snickerswo1f519 the fact that they care, that's what's beautiful.

[@thecheeseblock9880]

@@snickerswo1f519 getcho broke ass moving

[@3dDoener]

@@snickerswo1f519 death is a part of life, and there is much beauty in saying your goodbyes, coming to terms with losing your loved one and paying them their last respect

[@danielcrouch6589]

Thanks for filming this. I once knew a Magpie named George. He could speak Human and would get mad as fuck if you wouldn't feed him. Nobody believes me. Miss you George!

[@svodcat7524]

I believe you.

[@Wee_ones_Xolito]

i believe you too x

[@Forbiddenjadetheonly]

Me too!

[@fluidthought42]

Corvids be smart

[@allaboutroofing2]

With video proof, I don't believe you.

[@1977ajax]

As the years grow on me, I only now begin to realize there is a great deal more going on in animal's minds than I was led to believe as a young person.

[@christineguntsch8219]

Ihr Kommentar gefällt mir!

[@tashar3210]

Must have lost its mate and is struggling with grieve. It's trying ro feed it to wake it. So sad. Death affects all life forms

[@feralbluee]

it seemed to me it was trying to make its mate wake up, too. the fact that more birds than just the mate were calling, also, was amazing. they knew something was wrong.

[@Zarmdthecoolest]

@@feralbluee "dude u ok" "Nah bro im dead" "* Incomprehensible noises *"

[@Lizaaaaaa]

Don't read if you don't want to be sad My dad hit the neighbors dog but the other dog tried to make it wake up

[@JACK9ITE]

@@Lizaaaaaa :(

[@Noone-rt6pw]

It's strange humans follow the same behaviors of other creatures and also makes the cycle of life and death, at least for the vast majority.

[@jbmbryant]

Grief is absolutely the worst emotion there is. My heart goes out to the mourners.

[@lakshmi54]

grief is a form of overwhelming love think about that

[@UbNoc]

"What is grief, but love persevering?" -Vision

[@CloudSpirals]

Grief 100% is the hardest hitting emotion. In saying so, there are other emotions I may not have felt at it's highest level.... but grief has destroyed me in this last year past..... Almost ended everything I know of this realm.

[@SpriteWild]

Very true.. grief is the receipt we hold to say, "Yes I have loved deeply, here is the proof that I have paid the price." It's good to remember that after time heals the wound, grief will feel like a remembrance of love again, rather than sadness.

[@margaretsanfran7317]

AGREE ....JUST CANT LIFT YOUR HEAD OFF THE PILLOW FROZEN IN HEARTACHE 💔

[@egrogan6482]

25 yrs ago I was driving down a twisty, winding country road and suddenly came upon a huge circle of quail. They formed a perfect circle in the middle of the road and in the center was an obviously dead bird. They stood there silently, staying in place. I knew right away they were mourning the death of a fellow quail. It was extraordinary and that's when I learned that birds have funerals. I've worked with a lot of wildlife and one thing I've learned is that animals highly treasure the life they are given!

[@dizzylizzy6571]

Poor precious little angel birds! ☹️☹️ Heartbreaking to see them display their grief and sorrow over their lost loved one! 😫😣😦😢😥😞

[@dizzylizzy6571]

I watched this video over again and it made me SO SAD I was almost crying. Birds and animals have plenty of feelings and emotions and this heartbroken magpie is obviously devastated and crushed over the loss of her lifelong partner. Poor precious magpie. It breaks my heart. 😞💔😩💔😩💔😥💔😣💔😞💔🙏💔🙏💔

[@debbiehenri345]

A hen pheasant flew into my window and broke her neck, died instantly. Her mate stood by me while I buried her, and then he stood grieving on our doorstep for a whole day. When it began to rain, and he still stood there, in silence, head down, dripping wet - it near broke my heart.

[@catc8927]

Poor bird, that’s unmistakeable grief.

[@atherisGAY]

My heart breaks for this poor fellow. I hope he found another mate and didnt spend the rest of his life alone and heartbroken... :(

[@forgiven5919]

So sad that pheasants care more than some humans do for their mates.

[@rayzecor]

Why let the food go to waste?

[@v4ltzu739]

Had a similar thing happen when a male hazel grouse flew into my window. I decided to bury him under a rowan tree near the window. Next day a female appeared and flew in that rowan, on a branch above the grave. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I've never seen grouses here before, there were no berries or anything either. She just sat there for a while, perhaps waiting for him.

[@luckymoonjoy1278]

They’re poking it like “please move, please respond”

[@tropeadope4532]

"please... Wake up"

[@immanuelkant7895]

So sad 😢😢😢

[@BeetleBuns]

"ey! Walk it off! Quit being a bitch!"

[@StumpfsCurse]

☹

[@graybeard7605]

@@BeetleBuns bruh

[@denverscott37]

That last one was trying to wake his buddy up.. got me all up in the feels for a moment there..

[@johnny1013johnny]

I sat beside a male duck on the side of the road once, because he had lost his partner. I sat with him for an hour, he stayed there beside her body for hours. It's such a painful memory.

[@vidamariaixchel4962]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@alicepearce4597]

Almost three years ago, my son and I "rescued" 4 magpie chicks that fell off their nest by putting them under an evergreen so not to be seen by predators. Their parents brought food to them and they sort of grew up in our backyard. I've been fascinated by magpies since. I observed their family structures and communicating patterns, and was amazed by their intelligence. They certainly can recognize and remember faces individually. They like me, tolerate my son, and hate my husband. LOL

[@SquareInsider]

+Alice Pearce Magpies are fascinating and your story as well, but one thing stuck out to me about your comment. You tolerate your son? Hate your husband? That's sad.

[@alicepearce4597]

The magpies liked me but they only tolerated my son and hated my husband.

[@SquareInsider]

Alice Pearce Oh my goodness, now I am completely embarrassed. I really misread that. My apologies. I take that back completely.

[@alicepearce4597]

No worries. You gave me the chuckle. :-)

[@HarisEka]

can you please mention one example of their intelligentia?

[@lillyswift42]

This isn't a Funeral, it's a Wake. For anyone that doesn't know, a Wake is where you have a loud party in honor of the "deceased". If the "deceased" isn't really dead they'll wake up. This came to be back in the days before people could tell if someone was really alive or dead, so they didn't bury someone who was actually alive. (e.g. search "Tim Finnegan's Wake") Edit: Wow, I didn't expect this comment to blow up like this. Thanks for all the likes and comments! I try to respect everyone's opinions on this matter as different cultures respect their dead differently.

[@cgottschify]

oh shit i cant believe i didnt know that, good catch

[@mworld2611]

Why do I feel like this is another "Sonic inflation" joke

[@soultroll1]

Definitely a wake. Can you imagine if they were sitting shiva for 7 days with all that racket? No thanks.

[@philipocarroll]

Oh man, we found a language and grammar pedant.

[@randomgrmlin]

Learned about this because of Cursed Princess Club

[@gregmonks]

Those six magpies represent two groups of three siblings. Like crows (both are corvidae) they comprise familial groups. It's not just a dead magpie- it's a dead family member. They live a long time, so there's a history to their relationship. People tend to be incredibly obtuse when it comes to wildlife. They put out a bird feeder and all they see is a bunch of birds. What they're not seeing is that the birds hang around in separate familial groups. For them it's like going to a park that's full of families, many of whom they recognise.

[@1414141x]

Even the much dispised city pigeons show emotion to each other and pair up. They must be the randiest creatures on the planet though - there does not seem any time in the year when theyr are not 'getting it on' with each other ! The local seagulls pair up as well - but you certainly know when it's mating season for them as the racket starts.

[@hayleylongster4698]

I started bird watching last year. After a lifetime of being afraid of birds! 😂 I noticed the familial groups or pairs straight away. Most of the birds in our garden actually travel in pairs, and upon reading about the different species etc.- yes, these are the birds who have life mates. Others travel in large groups (like starlings), which I assumed were families. Others (blackbirds) seem to be paired up but also have an extended family group around them. I am fascinated by them and have made a few friends among them, so curing my bird phobia.

[@1414141x]

@@hayleylongster4698 The really interesting birds are the Covids. Crows, Rooks, Ravens, Magpies etc. Crows as well as forming life long pairing also have larger famililal groups and they stay in the same areas and group up with other groups. They will communicate with each other - letting others know who they don't like. Intelligent and funny.

[@Jafmanz]

where I live is very rural. dotted around the landscape are farms. Around each of these farms clans of crows live. A few times a year all of the crows from all of the farms gather together, thousands of them!!! They arrive in their clans, biggest first then the next, then the next, until the smallest clan arrives last. They do this in the same small woodland every time. They stay there all day and slowly leave clan by clan before night falls. This gathering of clans is amazing!

[@Danki81]

I raised a magpie that was abandoned by its parents. These birds are so intelligent and they are sociable beyond human understanding. This particular bird comes back to me twice a week and we established our own welcoming ritual. It stays for 1 to 2 hours and then flies away with its friends. Absolutely adorable animals. I fear the day when it doesn't come back... Our bond is so special and I don't want to miss it. Great video btw. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnnyDs82]

I wish I had a bird friend. I just have squirrelly Whirly

[@josephroberts2555]

Video or it didnt happen

[@busfahrer09]

Yo dude, show us that shit sounds amazing.

[@royaldecreeforthechurchofm8409]

@@busfahrer09 just leave bird food out the same ones they will come to ur house regularly... It's not a big deal.

[@withgoddess8029]

Well if it makes you feel any better perhaps one day it will come back but you won't be there LOL

[@jd-no7rw]

My mom witness a cow funeral once. A newborn calf had passed, and the entire herd circled the calf, put their heads down for a little while, then all left in a single file. She said it was somber and quiet. She says she wished she had had a camera at the time (before digital cameras were a thing). She still talks about it to this day.

[@mato4334]

does she eat cow meat, drink milk or eat cheese or other dairy products?

[@iabt23]

Imagine slaughtering them everyday

[@hajimehinata5854]

oh shit the vegans are here

[@mato4334]

@@hajimehinata5854 yes, and there are more coming, what are you waiting for to join us? :)

[@guyincognito39]

@@mato4334 go be plant based somewhere else you wet lettuce

[@Weirdisjustabrownandyellowword]

This comment section has restored a bit of my faith in humanity, but all the sad stories are making me cry. I can't take any more.

[@DeadPozzum]

Today, i found a young magpie who had drowned and was still in the water, so as the humble person that i am, I decided to bring it up to land. So the other magpie could say goodbye, this video is what made me do that, because I highly believe that magpies and other animal species has ‘rituals’ for when someone of their familiar passes away. I hope the magpies got to say goodbye to that poor one who had drowned even before i came to pick its soul-less body up to land :(

[@catz537]

This is sad. You can clearly see that they're distressed, and the bird towards the end was trying to get the dead one to get up by pulling at its feathers.

[@gaborszadai1992]

🌿kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC6Zppoi8d3gZI ...

[@justjess6636]

@@gaborszadai1992 not the place for spam

[@MrFrinZy]

@Anonymous No

[@thisisagoodname3974]

@Anonymous If they wanted to eat them, then they would’ve actually tried instead of poking and screaming.

[@mabelann4568]

@Anonymous you're a moron. You know absolutely nothing about birds.

[@dorotheabrunton1863]

I've seen this ritual too. Very moving as the birds appeared distressed and initially tried to turn the dead bird as if attempting to revive it.....

[@RioMuc]

That was heartbreaking...

[@RioMuc]

@@brianlacroix822 First you write they have "the brain of a bird and are trying to pick the dead one back to life". Then you erase your first comment and write "they are the devil's creature and are trying to eat it" (what they clearly aren't). What's wrong with you to call animals "devil's creature"?

[@kovi6203]

@@brianlacroix822 You're fucked in the head.

[@Cheesus-Sliced]

@@brianlacroix822 you're a special kind of stupid if you actually believe this. I was feeding a mother earlier today and when her baby wandered off, she refused to keep eating and just called for it to come get food

[@SHINdanny]

@@Cheesus-Sliced You are talking about magpies, right? :D

[@Rin-qj7zt]

Birds use their calls to invoke thought and emotions into each other. Much like when we hear the word train, an image, emotion, or thought immediately enters our brain, triggered by the person who said it. Birds have a call for playing, and when other birds hear it, they may start to engage in play because that's what entered their mind. This seems like maybe a call made with the intention of provoking some sort of response from the dead magpie.. they want the magpie to respond to show that it is okay. They look, but there's no response.. so they keep trying. Grief.

[@MirceaKitsune]

It's nice to see footage of a conscious self-aware creature with actual social structures and connections: As human bodied beings it's something many of us don't encounter in a lifetime, only when rare wildlife footage like this is captured.

[@ruthlewis9029]

It's so sad to watch this at the end. The dead ones mate is trying to get him/her to fly. Pulling on the wings and such. Very sad to watch.

[@evasmojang]

Agreed :(

[@__eganista6372]

I saw that too. So sad :-(

[@spaghetti5914]

I have even seen chickens do the "pulling feathers" for a lost one :( Came to my coop to find the hens surrounding a rooster who had passed and protecting it, I was expecting them to gang up and make a pretty gorey scene because chickens are known to be cannibals, but they just stood there, the body unscathed

[@evasmojang]

@@spaghetti5914 Yeah. Lots one of our hens recently, and our duck was extremely close with her. As the hen was dying (we had her for around 9 years), the duck kept nuzzling her feathers, trying to urge her to get up. It was awful

[@marnatural7748]

I feel the same😢💔

[@greenospreyphish]

sad little dinosaurs

[@gamerprohd2298]

Leigh W yh thts what I was thinking

[@skepticalbadger]

What a lovely observation. Made me even sadder for them though :(

[@therublixcube3052]

Living proof that Dinosaurs are clever, bird-like respectable animals, that sometimes can feel grief and loss too. Not a bunch of scary drooling lizards trying to murder everything.

[@Burakmillerson4946]

Leigh W They did not evolve from dinosaurs. Do research.

[@therublixcube3052]

All birds evolved from a group of heavily specialized group of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaurs. There is a large and extensively studied fossil record

[@Mhats]

animals are aware of death in their species. when i was a kid we had 4 chickens 1 rooster and 3 hens and one of the hens got really sick and her health deteriorated over a couple of weeks and she died and when i retrieved the body i picked her up by her legs took her out of the coop and the others were making this weird sounding clucking that i've never heard them make before. almost as if they were talking amongst themselves in shock knowing she was gone.

[@TheTropicalsummer]

I am an Aussie too, I know what you mean about our Australian Magpies and how they are, you have become their family, because of what you did ❤

[@TahaCell-rw3cz]

انا لجء سوري في لبنان اعشق أستراليا والشعب الاسترالية اتمان منكي يا ايتها الفتاة الجميلة مساعدتي انا لجء سوري اعيش اوضع صعبة جدا

[@avrevs]

Yes! I have seen this. One day a grackle (which is a similar bird) asked me to help it. His mate had been hit by a car. I got her out of the road, but she was already dead. I laid her in the grass and about 8 of them gathered near her in the grass. The male walked around his mates body, then walked around her in the opposite direction. All of the birds lowered their heads and were completely silent for a few moments. Then they all flew off together. It was amazing. I've never thought about birds the same since then. A bird saved my life once also when I was a child, but that is another story. They are amazing creatures.

[@avrevs]

oh he is so upset. its so sad

[@meowglab7702]

H Aureus that's an amazing story. These animals are so intelligent, they should be appreciated more. What was the story of the bird saving you?

[@avrevs]

+Meow Glab Hi! Well, one day when I was about 6, I heard the bluejays stirring up a ruckus and doing their snake calls. I thought a snake was attacking their nest so I went to try and help them. But when I got to them they were in a tree with no nest and I didn't see any snake. Suddenly one of the birds went crazy and flew right behind me like he was attacking me. When I turned and ducked out of the jay's flight path, I saw a cotton mouth moccasin reared back to strike me. It had been right behind me! The bird had distracted the snake and I leapt out of the way right as it struck. It was so strange, almost like that bird had a magical power to stop time for a few seconds. I ran away, but if that snake had bitten me I probably would have died. It was late spring when they are more venomous and we lived an hour from a hospital. I never would have seen the snake if the bluejay hadn't dive bombed it. Animals have often been very helpful to me. Once I lost my car key and one of the squirrels found it and put it in the feeder for me.

[@meowglab7702]

H Aureus Those are such crazy stories wow! I always knew animals were smart and capable of feeling, but I never knew just how smart they really are!

[@woonko3300]

wow... amazing stories

[@ingridnagy354]

Magpie chicks hatch in late april, may, rarely june. So until July, they reach a full grown magpie size, but they stay with their parents for a while still. And this is almost 100% sure the chicks and the dead bird is one of the parent. You can recognise the chick from the way they're head feathers are shedding (after hatching, once they get fully feathered, than aft the time of july-august they shed off their first feathers and grow their adult feathers-more vibrant, more black. and during that shedding period their head starts to get bald, like in the video), plus the bald eyeline is also typical to young magpies. And also you can know their young ones, that when they make the sound, open their beaks and the inside is still pink. Adult magpies and crows have black mouth inside. as they get older, the pink turns more black. so they're probably griefing their parent.

[@heidevanness2788]

Yes, I was thinking that several of the birds were young ones because of the speckled throats and the way they held up their heads and opened their mouths while they were crying out. Definitely in distress. The Animal Kingdom has emotions as does any living being. I once found a very young baby robin, and when the mother discovered that I had it, she called out so loud and fierce to the other birds. Soon after, birds of all species came to my yard and squawked until I released the baby bird. It was an incredible act of nature to witness and behold.

[@slawol987]

It explains the whole situation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Peace

[@elainelucero2752]

You are a wealth of education. Thank you .

[@bassbuckmaster]

This answers nothing... which one is the murderer? Always start inwards with family. A passing strange is worst case.

[@moretreesplease9379]

Why you know so much about magpies

[@JustAJesusLover]

“Dudes, broskies. A brother has fallen. Come, come pay respect to our fallen brethren.” As you can see I’m fluent in bird

[@not-the-body]

this is so heartbreaking yet comforting to know that all living things can feel and mourn ♡

[@happymack6605]

Two years ago, on a very cold winter’s day, a chickadee hit my window and was knocked unconscious. 3 other chickadees gathered around and started yelling and took turns nudging and pulling at the feathers of their friend. This went on for about 10 minutes, until the bird revived. This has really made me wonder about the level of thought animals possess.

[@nihil.void_official]

The average bird has the intelligence of a 4 year old human being. A four year old is able to comprehend loss to an extent

[@chasingstars5614]

@@nihil.void_official Depends on a bird, some are way smarter.

[@nihil.void_official]

Agree, which is why I said the average bird has that level of intelligence

[@kyleolin3566]

@Judah Jack Wow! If that isn’t the saddest thing I’ve heard today. We as humans can be so ignorant.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

You mean non-human animals. We're animals, too, obviously.

[@linzianna]

I once found an injured pigeon in my garden. A cat had got hold of him and torn a small piece of his wing, I managed clean up the wound nurse him back to health by giving him rest and keeping him a large cage with food and water in the garden. His mate stood on the garden fence watching and waiting for days. I left food out, bread crumbs, seeds etc, I released him back to her in good health and they both flew away together ❤ 💕

[@moniquesummerfield]

omg. so sweet.

[@MegInWhispers]

thank you for saving the bird. however, PSA that bread and baked goods and human food is not good for birds. each species has their own dietary requirements for specific seed types etc. so just be sure to research if caring for a bird or better yet, bring it to a local wildlife / bird rehab organization 🙌

[@mkenne14]

@@MegInWhispers I refuse to do that sorry

[@carolk5770]

Ohhhhhhhh my gosh! So sweet!!!

[@Gay-Icon]

@@MegInWhispers oh piss off. The person did the best they could with as much info as they could to help the bird and all you can do is criticise. Weirdo.

[@remek_ember]

I have witnessed the same ritual a few months ago. The unusually loud warbling came from a cherry tree just in front of my window, with the body of the dead magpie laying on the ground beneath, right next to the trunk. Most of them stayed on the tree except for one or two who kept jumping around the body, picking it ever so often. Even more interesting that there were some crows in the group as well (some mid-size corvid, all black, not sure about the species). . You could see that there was some kind of tension between the two species, but it appeared to me that the crows were participating in the ritual instead of being there as rivals. I might be wrong. And who knows what led to the death of their buddy. I've never seen these black ones around here before or since the incident, and the magpies don´t come too often either. They all left at the same time. This happened in a suburban area next to Copenhagen, Denmark. Magpies are pretty common here but even more so in Southern Sweden. They are very smart and very cautious.

[@asaone11]

Amazing video, thank you for sharing there grief.😢

[@monarchmelis]

I live in Florida and have experienced something similar with crows here. What appeared to be hundreds of crows flew over a 2 city block radius making tons of calls (brought all my neighbors out to see what was going on) while a few were on the ground. I walked down to where the few were and discovered one lying dead in the street. It didn't appear to have any injuries but was definitely dead. We stayed back and let their funeral go on and when they finally left, I brought it home and buried it. It was so emotional to watch and it lasted close to 30 mins. Makes you wonder what they really know or are experiencing.

[@michaldevetsedm1882]

It could have also been the result of a "crow trial", if so many birds were involved. Crows or ravens are known to stage something like "trials". Hundreds or thousands birds gather on a big tree (or a few trees), "discuss" something very emotively and loudly for about an hour or two and then sometimes a "culprit" is identified and other birds attack and kill him.

[@meatismurder2862]

@@michaldevetsedm1882 Really? Wow.

[@1ztype343]

@@michaldevetsedm1882 yoo what

[@baikia777]

@@michaldevetsedm1882 Oh I've seen a video of it on reddit. The others were shouting, "SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!"

[@spaghetti5914]

must've been a celebrity crow :'(

[@brie3679]

When I was a kid on my way to school, we saw a duck get hit by a car. While my mom was driving home, she noticed the duck was still there, staring down at its friend. That afternoon she once again drove by it to come pick us up from school, and it was still there, staring down at its friend. She called a wildlife rescue and they said it’s actually super common for ducks to get hit by cars, because they do tend to stand around their dead loved ones on the road. They thankfully went and got it, and it was relocated to Pickering Creek Audubon Center, where I do hope it had a happy life.

[@justinriley4063]

@@relaxwithme786 HES SEEN TOO MUCH

[@tonibauer2405]

I picked up a injured duck that had been hit. Male mallard. Don’t know where the mate was. It was night and she could have been nearby. Kept it save in a covered crate overnight in my garage then drove in 30 miles to wildlife rehab the next day. Did the same for a sick pigeon within a relatively short time.

[@pcka12]

It is a part of English law that ‘ducks have a right to water’ so that if a duck 🦆 or flock of ducks cross a road to access a pond or river they are exercising that ‘right’ (bet that you cannot find that one in the US constitution!).

[@Alice45894]

Your Mom was so good to call the wildlife rescue 💜

[@nikolatesla537]

damn that’s depressing as fuck

[@FairyFrequency]

Rest in Peace dear magpie friend. Sending love and condolences from Missouri.

[@ArkWn]

They say "Rest in peace, our friend. Oh Lord, please bless him, be merciful to him, and bring him to your paradise. Amen".

[@Steef_Lee]

A group of cats did this to one of their friends that was hit by a car and killed outside of my condo. It was heartbreaking to hear their cries. I used a garbage bag to move it out of the street so the others wouldn’t get hit while mourning.

[@stellaSOreal]

Awwww 😢

[@suearmstrong9597]

Bravo for you. Wonderful kindness shown to the cats. 🍃♥️🕊

[@dzibanart8521]

You sir are a kind soul.

[@AmarilloMusicAB]

You probably should've just disposed of the dead cat if you were going to that much effort

[@gaborszadai1992]

🌿kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC6Zppoi8d3gZI ...

[@kblake6841]

We had two cats, sisters who disliked each over. They didn't fight just totally ignored one another. The day before one of them died (unexpectedly) her sister cuddled up next to her for hours. It was the only time in 13 years they'd touched one another.

[@noahlani6480]

That’s actually so sad yet bittersweet

[@kaushikkam2596]

Nobody cares about you're cats

[@JEDUBBELLE]

Yeah buy cats are unintelligent and barely social enough to distinguish food from corpse. Or to care.

[@catcowboy6376]

​​@@JEDUBBELLEsadly you've just had terrible cats. One of the best cats I have ever had the pleasure of having as a companion could open doors, play fetch, he would jump into my arms to climb onto my shoulder like a parrot. He always comes to bed with us, he can sit stay play dead flush toilets and also uses the toilet like a human. Now I admit I have owned a lot of cats and he is the most exceptional of all the cats I have ever had and likely will ever have. But sadly I've also had cats like the one you're describing she looks just like the male cat I'm talking about but she was Farrell very skittish and doesn't like to be picked up at all it's like they're two totally different species. While the male is so intelligent that he will bring me a chewy bar on command from the cabinet. I used to be a dog person but have become a cat person ever since although I have a farm and owned both along with a lot of other animals including hybrids and wild animals.

[@Floviken1]

@@JEDUBBELLE Says someone who've never had a pet cat. Cats are exceptional at detecting when their human is feeling ill. So why would it feel differently when another cat is ill? Cats are intelligent and you're not.

[@mikehatz3942]

I'm so fascinated by birds. I know I'm not alone in this. Watching them express emotion in their own way is fascinating because you can see that they're different, but still so similar. They're obviously intelligent, but their brains are different than ours and our last common ancestors are hundreds of millions of years apart. It's so fascinating to me that we can recognize intelligence in other animals and that they (at least the corvids) seem to have the same capacity when looking at us. They appear to have similar understanding of cruelty and kindness, care and vindictiveness, love and loss that we have. They recognize friendly humans and reward us when we display care and kindness to them, and similarly harass unkind humans. They're remarkable creatures.

[@89Gip]

Impressionnante empathie de ces pies envers leur malheureuse congénère. Une vidéo belle et pleine d'enseignements.

[@angelwings7930]

One of the many stories I could tell is how one of my parakeets suddenly died and one of the others stood screaming on top of the dead body, which was how I found out. Also, I was upset one day while sitting at a table and positioned in front of the table was a large flight cage where my parakeets lived. It was there because I enjoyed watching them so much. So anyway I was crying, and after going on a while I looked up and saw the parakeets, all totally silent, leaning downward to get a closer look at me. They’re usually silly, playful birds. Could have easily gone back to their usual playing. But they all looked very worried and didn’t stop staring until I got up and left. Maybe I simply frightened them by crying but they all looked very focused and worried.

[@jonathanflores2389]

"tf he doin??" 💀

[@Angela-zf8sn]

Awww....

[@minners71]

I'll never understand the need to cage what is a wild /free animal.

[@joshsimms5697]

That's really touching, tearing up here. Stuff like that makes, me atleast, feel like there is for sure an intelligent designer that created all these beautiful creatures with their beautiful qualities.

[@muslim_kun]

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered." (QS. Al-An'aam 6: Verse 38) * Via Qur'an English

[@mreboric8406]

I knew a guy when I was a kid that shot a crow with a 22 and killed it. He was attacked by crows for years after every time he would walk to his car. They would stalk and wait for him but when they saw the gun they dissapeared. It was like a little war of vengeance. Some of the funniest shit I have ever seen and it taught me just how smart birds are.

[@kv2315]

thats not funny imo.

[@mymyrrah]

Crows are such bastards lol

[@genyakozlov1316]

Human are such monsters lol

[@karachristen6484]

Crows remember faces, and will teach others: “hey! This guy is an asshole!” So it was definitely a campaign of vengeance from the crow’s family members. That being said, the guy kinda deserved it.

[@fidgetspinner1050]

@Red Truck Ah, yes of course the crows are the assholes. Their friend got murdered and they are the bad guys for trying to get revenge?

[@nata4286]

Одно время,у нас была кормушка ,это было на 4 этаже. В городе разные птички- синички-по 2 весело и культурно, стая воробьев -как базарные торговцы-нагло,толпой,ругаясь и толкаясь,прилетали подкормиться. Были и 2 синекрылые сойки-сильные и решительные птицы,поев пикировали мгновенно, как истребители. Я была рада,что помогаю пережить зиму в городе птицам. Теперь живу в доме на земле-зимой подкармливаю воробьев, синичек. Дятел прилетает иногда на старую грушу. Только что видела молодую сойку у кормушки.(У меня живут кошка мама,бабушка и сын.Кошка мама очень ласкова со своей мамой и сыном; бабушка внука не очень любит.Через стенку живёт дочка бабушки,она любит свою маму и дерётся с сестрой и племянником:). Вот так, кошка бабушка очень добрая,она всегда ждёт,когда поедят все. Раньше я кормила 9...7,это лето 5 кошек.

[@signin7406]

It seems like everyone came to attend the funeral, but one family member here who's crying and expressing his deep emotion regarding his own family member, while everyone left he's the only person who still in a tempestuous situation by mind.

[@Wuzza47]

One of parents dead. Most of those are juveniles trying to wake up the parent with increasing panic. Distress calls. One adult there. Probably the bereaved mate.

[@gaborszadai1992]

🌿kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC6Zppoi8d3gZI ...

[@robertpace901]

How sad.

[@josephdockemeyer6782]

This is incredibly heartbreaking. Yes, animals do grieve. Some Canadian geese that lose a mate refuse to take another. Those that choose to never pair bond again become sentries.

[@weezypeezy1725]

Oh cause you’re the bird scientist here? Yeah, right.

[@robertpace901]

@@weezypeezy1725 smart ass. Maybe he's observed magpies more then you have.

[@ZinniasandAsters]

Years ago, my dog passed away and my cat sat at the place she’d died for two days. I had to bring her food, water, even the litter box. It was so beautifully sad. Animals are so much more than many of us give them credit for.

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

Yes exactly they dont get the credit they are due

[@darianzielinsky96]

Well we are animals and look at what we do! It's kind of insane to believe we are the only animals on earth that have intelligence and emotion.

[@babkeebabkus8177]

@@darianzielinsky96 humans are the most messed up species of animal on the planet...it's likely that some animals actually feel sorry for us

[@darianzielinsky96]

@@babkeebabkus8177 lmao they probably don't care about us

[@babkeebabkus8177]

@@darianzielinsky96 some don't give a sh!t and some actually know how pathetic humans are...don't be fooled...some animals have super sensing u are unaware of...sure as sh!t there have been dogs that looked at the condition of their owner after an accident and felt sorry for them...feeling of empathy for another suffering creature...dogs can also get affected by the mood of their owner so if he or she is depressed the dog can feel depressed or if the stress in the house is high it can be seen that the dog is stressed out...thinking too much...stuff happens dudey...just be aware

[@michelehernandez4217]

When I was a child, with my mom driving in our car... there were 2 beautiful birds in the road. As our mom drove without concerns, we yelled "Mom! The Birds!" She said "Ahh, they'll move." We then heard a "thump, thump" and the car jump up a bit. I looked out the rear window, and one of the birds was laying there on the road, flapping its wings, while slowly dying. Its mate was able to fly away, escape injury, but flew back to the road and stayed by its dying mates side. I'll never ever forget its loyalty, love and devotion to its dying mate.😢 I was very, very upset, especially at my mother for not taking care of her driving to avoid harming the innocent birds. In her heartlessness, were the planted seeds of my views today about Life, and all Living beings.😢

[@Isabelleevelyn1]

This made me furious to read..

[@kidowmer]

Just read about this..the more I learned about birds, the more amazed I feel about them..I will not look at them with the same mindset ever again

[@Ricksdetrix]

It's quite humbling really. We're not the only ones who feel loss, confusion and sadness at the death of a loved one

[@lorenagaravito5956]

No, we are not the only ones...

[@SilentAndy]

@@lorenagaravito5956 Stop trying that. I can see thru ur comment. 😂

[@JB9000x]

I think they are protecting it from other carrion eaters and at the same time considering eating it themselves

[@junodonatus4906]

There is no such thing as "human" emotions. That's has been proven. We share the same neuro-chemistry and anatomy for joy, fear, and other emotions. Emotions, in fact, drive animal behavior.

[@gic8849]

When I was 7, my dad found a baby blue jay under a tree..he either fell out of his nest, was kicked out, or a predator dropped him. My mom made a call to find out how to care for it. I have so many memories and pictures of this bird, Bj, and I. When he was grown and ready to fly, we released him in our back yard. Every day, I call out and he’d respond. He stayed within earshot for about a year..then I had to work for a response because he’d be off doing big boy bird things. He’d come around randomly and sit on the fence near my bedroom window, calling for me to notice him, until I made a call back (I said his name in the same tone he caw’d at me) then he’d fly off lol. I loved that bird so much.

[@ICantThinkOfAUsername]

Most wholesome thing i’ve read for a month

[@marquizzo]

+1 🥰

[@lifewitholga_]

💙😭🙏🏼✨

[@gic8849]

It was definitely an incredible experience. I feel blessed to have had such a strong friendship with a wild bird. He was a good boy 💙

[@gic8849]

I have a picture of us watching Jem & the holograms together…he was perched on my shoulder lol

[@victorymansions]

It's so sad when you see a bird flat on its side dead. Birds are really animated and characterful while alive, so I find the stillness of them in death is accentuated by their living behaviour.

[@harryedwards9318]

Be with the Lord Beautiful little Bird ❤

[@ilax4244]

His eye is on the Sparrow, and the Magpie.

[@andreacraik9757]

In Rocklin California… An elderly crow died, across the street from my house. There were hundreds of crows and magpies gathered! They took turns mourning… the crows would gather and caw on the ground, around the dead crow, and the magpies squawked in a large oak tree over the crow. Then they switched. The magpies came down to the ground around the dead crow, and the crows went up into the tree. They did this all day, until the neighbor came and put the crow in the garbage can! They covered his roof and lawn until sunset… it was one on the most amazing events of my life. I was able to watch it with my grandfather as we sat on my porch mesmerized!

[@scxlg]

That's absolutely incredible! That there were magpies as well as crows, and the majesty of the scene! What a beautiful scene to witness. The elderly crow must have been well known and well loved - a legend in his world!

[@nothipbuthipp7634]

What an amazing experience to witness. Did any return the next day? I'm trying to imagine the life lessons this crow dispensed to all of those little ones that surrounded him. We have crows, magpies, willy wagtails, wattles and mynahs visit in the afternoons and you can see them communicate with each other. I could sit all afternoon just watching the interaction but home duty constantly calls, so I find myself watching from the kitchen sink well past the finish of chore time. Birds are beautiful and all should fly free.

[@sunnypeach1328]

Aw.. he must have been a celebrity or something, considering both crows and magpies mourned him.

[@andreacraik9757]

I like to think that She was royalty!

[@user-xi9oe8yw6v]

@@andreacraik9757 In lieu of flowers, did you make a donation to the Urban Bird Foundation or plant a tree in her memory?

[@KM-bn7dg]

The day before my cat died, he curled up to sleep next to one of my ferrets. They snuggled peacefully for some hours. This was VERY unusual because for the entirety of my cat’s life - never once would he let either of the ferrets near him. He hated them because they were too rambunctious.. lol. But that day he CHOSE to curl up with the one who had always been more respectful of his space. I was amazed. I tried to move him because I thought he was delirious and was worried about the weasel annoying him - but he kept going back to her. She didn’t bother him at all. That ferret passed a few months later. Animals are so insightful and intuitive.

[@jasonvoorhees5640]

sounds like the cat killed the ferret 😳🔪💀

[@3rdgenimmigrant210]

@@jasonvoorhees5640 Nah....ya mean...the ferret killed the cat....you around got it the....

[@jasonvoorhees5640]

@@3rdgenimmigrant210 my bad 😂👍

[@fishbmw]

Maybe grief at the loss of the ferret's cat friend contributed to the ferret passing soon after.

[@jayhache5609]

Thank you for sharing that. Too bad the idiots are here blemishing such a beautiful and thoughtful story.

[@TanyaQueen182]

I've heard they do this, but I've never seen it. Incredible.

[@SharonWoosley]

A few years ago, I watched similar behavior in a small flock of purple finches, from my home balcony in the Pacific Northwest (USA). One of their comrades had flown into a window pane, and presumably died instantly. I watched him for many minutes to see if he might come to, and fly away. He didn't. But after about ten minutes, one of his friends, flew back and landed near him. He whistled and walked around him. Then another joined, and another, and another. In all there were maybe 8 or 10 finches, who flew in and landed in a circle. They all squawked and whistled and took turns walking in a circle, and moving closer to the body, and then moving back again. I'm sure they knew they had lost a friend. I watched for maybe 20 minutes, before having to leave for an appointment. When I came back, his body was gone, and so were they. Did they take him away for some sort of burial? I don't know. But I do know animals know and understand more than we think they do.

[@satsukiyatouji4720]

This is pure grief. My quails showing sadness, grief for a dead quail too. One of my quails named Lilaru searching for her best friend Goldy 2 weeks than my Alpha girl Rambo steps in and became her grief companion and stayed at her side night and day. From this time on, they are doing everything together. Birds are veeeeery social and Loving earthings!!

[@theresanz4771]

We have a pair of quail and I can attest to that they seem to love each other alot.. fascinating little birds to watch. After sitting and watching them do their thing I dread the day that one may pass and the other will die of a broken heart. They are adorable such underrated little birds.

[@djaldd420]

Please tell me you’re not eating them

[@rathalomaniac6212]

Not all birds. Ducks and geese routinely lose babies without even noticing, and multiple species will kill their weaker young in order to protect the stronger ones.

[@tiotoy99]

@@djaldd420 i eat my quails

[@marvymarier8988]

I thought birds were dumb until I had a pet pigeon then I learned otherwise

[@konTomi]

I had an abandoned magpie once as a "pet". I don't know the gender, so I', referring to it as him. I raised him, fed and took care of him. He had a cracked upper "jaw" or how do you say it in English. It missed the tip. I raised him and always thought he was free to go whenever he decided so. He rode with me on a bicycle, he sometimes flew to a tree and came back a while later. Then on a midsummer's day he left. Once later that summer I sat on the backyard, a very familiar magpie appeared on the roof of our house. He approached me and sat on my shoulder like a hundred times before. He sat there a while and flew away, and I never saw him again. That was 28 years ago now. I still remember everything about him, he fell in love (or though that it was his parent) with my friends black hat. Always "purring" when he saw that hat. What an intelligent and amazing animal. I will remember him forever. Those birds are unique.

[@riccardobon6300]

Marvellous story! You're a lucky man, my friend! You knew the Heart of a non-human Person!

[@jeremyshewell2445]

That’s a beautiful story .

[@ivorwindybottom7364]

Thanks for sharing. To have a such a bond with a free animal must be amazing.

[@likethecolorgreen]

In English we call it the upper beak. Pronounced as bēk

[@allhopeabandon7831]

You were lucky to be touched by a magpie...we don't have them here, but we have crows, another corvid, which display the same advanced intellect and social behaviors. I used to hunt crows as a boy, bc they were considered pests. Fortunately for them, I usually missed (but I did kill a few) but I stopped hunting as a young man, tho I would hunt should the absolute necessity arise, I have not game hunted for a decade or more bc I appreciate the value of life in all it's forms...I even learned to like the house centipede (1000 leggers) and where as I used to run after them with a news paper, I now watch them on their hunt for all the nasty larva hiding in the nooks and crannies of my home. If only people could all learn to respect the gift of life...

[@djnucker]

I have seen where an incident like this in Wales, on a fast and busy road. led to the deaths of 6 to 8 other magpies, who were so overcome by their grief that they were unaware of the approaching vehicles . This happened over a period of time where the first death lost one of its mourning party, then one of the party mourning the second death was lost, etc. I would see the pile of bodies increase day by day and wondered if it was indeed created by grief or the other birds feeding on the carrion. As there were other types of crow in the vicinity, but none in the pile of bodies, the latter seemed unlikely. Thank you @guy Odishaw for finally answering that question.

[@DioDCynic]

Beatiful creatures, now this is some visual content. Thanks for sharing!

[@carolingi1741]

This isn’t their normal sound either, it’s more… lamenting :/

[@ms.pirate]

Sad noises

[@niclasjohansson5992]

Crows does the same thing. Some brain scan dude said that they're marking out the place so others remember that the area is connected to danger. He said this because areas of the brain connected to memory rather than emotion lit up.

[@MellowJelly]

They always sound like this in my opinion

[@frederikbrandt424]

@@MellowJelly Nah they make a lot of “clicking” sounds normally.

[@inkerikavantera]

Crows remember faces.

[@k.b2457]

One time my friend accidentally knocked out a goose with a lacrosse ball. The other geese circled around it and honked for at least 30 mins. It was really sad. When the bird gained consciousness and popped back up the honks got even louder like they were happy.

[@brunoleite8380]

your friend's a piece of shit lol

[@Altoclarinets]

god can you imagine being the goose that had the near death experience

[@rosebudXx]

The end of that story is cute

[@sherumayu]

I’m going to hell, the image of a goose getting knocked out by a lacrosse ball hAS ME WHEEZING

[@Moooras]

Missed opportunity for 10 mln views :P

[@joycedudzinski9415]

It's amazing how concern these birds show for their fellow dead bird, compared to the way humans act to each other.

[@ConfusedFishingRod-vu6et]

After watching this video I realized that not only human but also all other species including birds as well as animal have same emotions about joyfully and sorrowful moments additionally this clip is heart broken.😢😢😢

[@rimski7265]

I know magpies can be little terrors at times but this is quite sad and rather moving. When all’s said and done you have to admire their devotion to their own kind

[@gaborszadai1992]

🌿kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC6Zppoi8d3gZI ✌🏻 ...

[@randolph4896]

Yes, we can learn a lot from animals. Especially during these crazy times.

[@bobraekevelt7953]

I had a magpie as a pet, they are super cute, they like hopping around, screaming when you pet their head and hide the food you give them. We saved two magpie babies and one of the two died, the one who survived actually was too young to remember as he hadn’t opened his eyes yet but I’m sure he noticed the warmth next to him was gone, which was just a wayyy to sad thought lol.

[@bobraekevelt7953]

@Greg 'Intergender Champ' Hardy oh no, but we do have crows for that. We also have pigeons with suicidal thoughts. I mean those animals do not see the need to hurry of the street when you’re there with you’re car, they are just gonna walk away very slowly looking at you like “I got time and I’m gonna use it”

[@FeralRat]

There was a raven funeral exactly like this outside my house one time. The leader of the ritual carefully went over the body, picking and checking to make sure they were really dead. One raven in particular was really upset, and flew down as if to try and stop the ritual. He or she was frantic, and kept trying to grab the dead raven and fly off with them. The leader had to shoo them away. Everyone knew that raven was dead, but the frantic one, maybe the spouse, just couldn't handle it.

[@hoihoi9866]

Maybe he wanna eat it

[@renees1021]

I think they mate for life. Crows too.

[@nathanielmartins5930]

​@@hoihoi9866 They eat protein, true. But they ain't cannibals, and certainly not ones who'd dine during a funeral when everyone is gathered around the body.

[@puppydogs68]

@@hoihoi9866 imagine everyone’s out here mourning John Doe’s death and you’re over here chowing down on his corpse 😂

[@sweetestaphrodite]

Spouse? Yeah I reckon the bird put a ring on it

[@limitbreak2966]

1:27 :( he really wants the poor birdy to come back :(

[@coconutcore]

I was amazed to hear about it. Must be wild to discover they do this firsthand.

[@sussekind9717]

Yes, animals mourn their dead. I grew up on a farm in a rural area, and have witnessed this many times, with many different species. It can be quite heart wrenching, sometimes.

[@purpleduck3494]

(Joel 1:20) The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.... God hears their cries too.

[@fukdimudi]

One mcrib on that

[@3s-sahajselfstudy]

I saw similar a mother duck 🦆 was cawing near its dead offspring ( which was either hunted be dog or might've dropped from nest). The duck used to come near and go far calling its dead offspring to follow her, but they couldn't, i was very sad seeing this.

[@heatherhall8706]

Except for pigs, they just eat each other🥺

[@Sheepleton]

I've seen prairie dogs hump their dead, don't act like they're human

[@Lil_Devil]

This actually made me really sad. You can feel the emotion in the mature birds sounds. The way he/she pecks at their mate, breaks my entire heart.

[@Xevida]

@@sudilos1172 Dude, scram off

[@cursedaccount6067]

@MightyZote fax

[@phreak761]

@@sudilos1172 😂🤪

[@connynielson8686]

haha..its eating it you know, they are cannibals. lol

[@uncreativeranter]

Which God are they praying to?

[@pleasantlyblue7425]

Thank you for sharing.💞🌟🕊🌺

[@rhondasanders4323]

Oh💔I’m sorry for your loss children💐♥️

[@andyjames8612]

I had a crow visit my garden every day here in the UK. I always recognised him because he had a lump where his eye should have been, hence his nickname, Lumpy. I fed him and one of his young and would get quite close and he wouldn’t fly off because he knew me. This went on for months and then me and the wife went away for a few days. When we came back we heard a scratching noise behind our gas/coal fire in the chimney, we just assumed it was the neighbours cleaning or decorating. The next morning we could still hear the scratching and I called my mate who is a plumber and gas fitter. He removed the fire and there behind it at the bottom of the chimney was Lumpy. We took him into the garden and he flew off but noticed his wing wasn’t right. That evening the crows were making a real racket, dozens of them in nearby trees and I found out that they do this when one of their mates die. We never saw Lumpy again so assumed it was him they were squawking for that night. Had he fell down our chimney by accident or did he come down looking for us? We’ll never know but I’ll never forget that funeral wake they had for him, absolutely incredible.

[@IceHibiscus]

Thank you for your story.

[@herolais781]

rip...

[@FartInYourFace234]

so many eyebrow raising moments in this its incredible 😂

[@JamaicanToast]

You should have contacted the RSPCA Immediately!

[@rarra]

I’m sorry for your loss

[@garyadams9073]

Most of the Corvidae have complex death rituals. I used to feed peanuts to the crows that roosted behind my work. They recognized me (but not my co-workers) as the person with the food. In exchange they brought me sticks, bottle caps, and once a small necklace they had found somewhere. One of them died in a corner of the lot one day, the rest of the flock gathered around him and were silent for several minutes. Then they all starting calling, this went on for about two minutes before they left.

[@hutch_hunta]

Amazing story mate

[@Larkin4840]

They aren’t rituals, they are looking for whatever may have killed it so they can know the potential threat to the rest of the group. I found a dead bird outside where I work and I went over and tapped around on the glass window so the others would know to avoid it and then I saw them outside hopping around checking out the glass. They are smart enough to do an investigation

[@firegator6853]

they are very intelligent animals, they are literally apes with wings

[@rebekahcrossman4690]

Thanks for sharing this!!

[@Myamirah]

Hi from Yorkton ! Thanks for posting. Very interesting. I’ve never even seen a Magpie irl.

[@mylendriawinterstern9333]

A week ago my daughter and I found a dead female duck. The mate was at her side and watch over her body for days and sit next to its body. Like these birds in this vid it was heartbreaking sad.

[@withgoddess8029]

You left an animal out to rot for days rather than just taking the poor dead body to animal control where they would have cremated it...

[@dmg4415]

@@withgoddess8029 Circle of life, why cremate what is food for other animals? Animal control must have better things to do with living animals.

[@excuseyou7198]

@@withgoddess8029 It’s best not to interfere with nature like that. Like DMG said, it can be food for other animals, insects, fungi, bacteria, etc. Also why cremate it? I would think that just burying it would make more sense, if you were going to interfere with natural processes.

[@iramsavir5631]

😢😭😔

[@711froglover]

😭

[@akiramakara2062]

Not every animal mourns the same way, or have the same understanding of death, but it always hurts to see them mourn.

[@PL_Con]

Yes it's heartbreaking to hear and watch

[@Juel92]

I would wager these birds have a better understanding of death than most humans.

[@maranatha9769]

More then most humans do

[@ghostryu6662]

@@PL_Con humans are probably the cause of most of the animals mourning

[@user-gm1vx7jz5v]

Same as humans, and yet we judge people who can't cry at furneal of their loved ones. We can't understand the shock, and we are judgemental. 😕

[@Anna-tj6jl]

Oh my God! What devotion! Poor birds, they definitely were life partners 😢

[@Deljron777]

I'm a friend to Aussie Magpies I'm not sure how I got marked but I can walk anywhere without magpies attacking me and the local magpies at my house treat me like on one of the flock. Amazingly cool birds.