How ‘rescuing’ a magpie could cost you $40,000 in fines this spring

Spring in Australia often brings with it a quiet dilemma—one that starts with good intentions and ends in heartbreak. Many people spot a young magpie on the ground, scoop it up, and unknowingly set the bird on a dangerous path. What feels like an act of kindness can not only cost the bird its life but could also leave you facing a staggering fine.

For Shelly Burrowes, the pattern was all too familiar.

As an animal rehabilitator at Hamilton Wildlife Shelter in Victoria, she had spent over 15 years watching the same story unfold every spring.

‘It’s a trend that’s always been around. We see it every spring,’ she explained. ‘In the country, people definitely think it’s not a big deal. They see a magpie chick, and they think it’s easy to take because they fledge from the nest and can’t fly for the first week.’

Understanding the Fledgling Stage

This critical stage—known as fledging—was not a sign of trouble but an essential part of a young bird’s development.

During this time, magpie chicks remained under the watch of their parents, learning how to forage, recognise predators, and find their place in the complex social structure of magpie life.

Yet well-meaning hands often cut this process short.

She recalled countless calls from people who had taken magpies home, only to later realise they were struggling.

‘They might assume magpies are easy to look after and feed, and they don’t understand that they’re feeding them the wrong things,’ she said. ‘It’s only later that they realise the magpie may not be doing well, and then they ring and ask to bring it into care.’

Raising a chick alongside domestic animals could be especially dangerous.

‘Many get raised with dogs and cats, so when they’re released or escape, they might go into someone else’s yard and approach a dog, not knowing it’s dangerous,’ she explained.

The outcome in the wild was often fatal.

Legal Risks of Interfering with Wildlife

Beyond survival risks, the law was equally unforgiving.

Under Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975, the unlawful possession of wildlife carried a fine of up to $39,653 and/or two years imprisonment.

Similar penalties existed across Australia, with fines in Queensland exceeding $10,000 under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Posting about unlawful handling on social media could even lead to additional penalties.

While research showed less than 10 per cent of maximum penalties were enforced in court, the laws served as a clear warning.

Shelly urged people to understand when to act and when to step back.

‘The general rule of thumb is to leave wild animals alone, regardless of the species, unless they’re clearly visibly injured or in distress,’ she said. ‘Many people think that if a bird can’t fly yet, something is wrong, but if the family is around and looking after it, the bird is okay.’

Nestlings vs Fledglings

Nestlings—too young to be on the ground—were a different matter altogether.

‘Nestlings that have blown out may need to come into care and be put back up in a tree so the adults can feed them,’ Shelly explained.

In genuine emergencies, she stressed the importance of calling professionals.

Wildlife rescue hotlines across Australia were staffed 24/7, with trained carers ready to assess, advise, and intervene if needed.

Community Awareness Matters

Community education was key to preventing unnecessary ‘rescues’.

Surveys revealed Australians strongly supported tougher animal welfare laws, with more than 1000 people giving feedback on proposed reforms in recent years.

That compassion, Shelly said, needed to be guided by science.

Supporting wildlife rescue groups through donations or volunteering remained one of the most effective ways to help.

As spring continued, the message was simple: those young magpies on the ground were likely exactly where they belonged—watched over by their parents and learning the skills they needed to survive.

Sometimes, seeing a wild animal in need can spark a moment of quick thinking and unexpected heroism.

One man’s roadside rescue shows how compassion and careful action can make all the difference for an animal in distress.

If you want to read a real-life example of someone stepping in responsibly, this story offers both inspiration and insight.

Read more: Grandpa's 'proper talking-to': One senior's roadside rescue captures hearts nationwide

Have you ever mistaken a young magpie’s fledgling stage for distress, and what did you do in that moment?