How long did it take a flock of magpies to remove their trackers?

Turns out, humans aren’t the only animals who don’t like to have tracking devices planted on them. A group of magpies recently made their sentiments on the technology known to a team of researchers who were trying to track them.

The team, from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, had developed a new tracker that they thought would be perfect for magpies. Made of a lightweight but tough material, the trackers attached to the birds like backpacks. They could be charged and their data retrieved completely wirelessly, and they used a magnet for easy removal. The birds, however, were not impressed.

About 10 minutes after the magpies were fitted with their trackers, the team noticed one bird using its beak to help another remove the device. A few hours later most of the birds had helped each other take off the trackers, and after three days not one bird had a tracker.

“[W]e had never read about any other bird cooperating in this way to remove tracking devices,” said team member Dominique Potvin. “The birds needed to problem solve, possibly testing at pulling and snipping at different sections of the harness with their bill. They also needed to willingly help other individuals, and accept help.”