Feeding Australian magpie

a grub extracted ground

the australian magpie omnivorous, eating various items located @ or near ground level including invertebrates such earthworms, millipedes, snails, spiders , scorpions wide variety of insects—cockroaches, ants, beetles, moths , caterpillars , other larvae. insects, including large adult grasshoppers, may seized mid-flight. skinks, frogs, mice , other small animals grain, tubers, figs , walnuts have been noted components of diet. has learnt safely eat poisonous cane toad flipping on , consuming underparts. predominantly ground feeder, australian magpie paces open areas methodically searching insects , larvae. 1 study showed birds able find scarab beetle larvae sound or vibration. birds use bills probe earth or otherwise overturn debris in search of food. smaller prey swallowed whole, although magpies rub off stingers of bees , wasps before swallowing.