Mandurah Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre is calling on residents to reconsider feeding wild magpies. Growing evidence suggests the community’s well-meaning handouts may be contributing to a concerning rise in illness, injury and juvenile mortality among the native birds. Between January and April last year, the centre admitted 42 magpies with many showing signs of nutritional deficiencies, deformities and emaciation, which they deducted was from being fed minced meat. PerthNow Digital Edition . Your local paper, whenever you want it. Read now So far this year, the centre has admitted 15 with similar problems, prompting renewed concern and a call for public awareness. Particularly affected among the intake was young birds still dependent on adult care. “Feeding magpies mince might feel like a small act of kindness but the reality is it can set off a chain of health problems, especially for chicks,” Mandurah Wildlife board member Jerry Hoekman said. “Mince lacks calcium and other vital nutrients needed for strong bone development and we’re seeing the fallout of that firsthand.” Mandurah Wildlife staff said alongside the health risks, feeding the birds can also have long-term impacts on their natural behaviour. Camera Icon Mandurah's magpie population may be in trouble due to human interference. Credit: Supplied Birds who become reliant on human-provided food can pass their unsuitable diets on to their young, failing to teach them critical foraging skills. The absence of these skills often causes social rejection by other birds and leads to isolation, attacks and abandonment. “We understand people feed birds because they care but we also see the consequences when good intentions go wrong,” Mr Hoekman added. “This isn’t about blame— it’s about education and making better choices for the wildlife we all value within the community.” Mr Hoekman said the best way to care for the local wildlife is to let them remain wild. “They need safe environments, proper nutrition and freedom from human dependence— that’s how we ensure future generations will grow up hearing the magpie’s song.”