Birds – you either love them or you live in fear of their beady eyes staring you down as you nervously stroll beneath leafy trees.
The magpie may have a bad rap, but international model Megan Gale is putting an end to the slander.
On her Instagram Stories, Megan shared a video of herself sitting on her driveway in black leggings and a blue jumper with a magpie printed on it, feeding three magpies that was filmed by her husband, Shaun Hampson.
Watch Megan Gale feed her magpie friends below.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
She wrote, “To quote Shaun ‘You Look Mad (CRAZY) But Very Cute!'”
The 46-year-old was self-aware enough to ask her fans to vote if she was “Officially a crazy bird lady.”
A resounding 78 per cent voted “Yes 100%”, and only 22 per cent voted “No, I’d do it too.”
Model Megan also shared a video on her Instagram of a magpie stepping onto her lap and taking food from her hand, and she tenderly asked the bird if it would “like more” to take it to its “babies.”
She took to her caption to discuss the wonderful world of these creatures, who are loyal and friendly.
Watch Megan Gale feed her birds in her magpie jumper below.
“I know that a lot of people are not fond of magpies, especially during Spring when they’re nesting, and can get quite territorial,” she said to leer in her unconvinced fans.
“And yes, they can get quite protective over their young and aggressive with humans. But they can also be so sweet, trusting and friendly.”
Megan continued her post to tell her story and long-term relationship with her neighbouring magpie family, and it’s genuinely a heartwarming saga.
“This is the third Spring that this male magpie has been visiting us with his mate (and also their babies), and they have gradually gotten closer to us, in every sense of the word.
“Today, he jumped on my lap for the first time to eat mealworms. It was so sweet!
“Apparently, once magpies befriend you, they, their family and other magpies that they’re close to, will never swoop you. So far this has been true, and also they can live near to you and visit for their entire lifetime, which can be up to 30 years.
“I hope that last bit is true as well 🖤,” she finished.
What would you have voted?
(Credit: Instagram)Hopefully, Megan’s journey has educated enough Australians to encourage conversations about the misunderstood biases thrown at these beautiful birds whose intentions are ultimately good.
Oh…. Are we becoming bird ladies, too, now? Well, on that note, we’re picking up a copy of Australian Magpie: Biology and Behaviour of an Unusual Songbird because we think Megan has us falling in love.
.jpg?fit=105%2C105){kind=avatar}