The human-swooping reincarnation of lucifer himself, the magpie, has been named Australia’s ‘Bird Of The Year’ after topping a poll by The Guardian and Birdlife Australia, but not everyone’s happy about it.
The magpie (also known as Gymnorhina tibicen) claimed 13.3 per cent of the total vote count, with a massive 19,926 votes to its name, after a last-minute push to overtake the white ibis (or bin chicken) for the top spot:
https://twitter.com/NickEvershed/status/940004340114251776
The humble white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) received 19,083 votes, and was followed in third place by the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguinea) with a total of 10,953 votes.
While magpie voters were pecking at their mates in excitement after their win, others are downright confused by the bird’s victory…
https://twitter.com/JonathanHair/status/939973628241653760
It is now my life's work to not only glorify the Ibis but to fucking wreck the Magpie! I am livid.
— Jordan Raskopoulos (@JordanRasko) December 10, 2017
You only voted Magpie out of fear. I understand.
— Glengyron (@glengyron) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/ellehardytweets/status/939983197445570560
Magpie is Australia's Trump/Brexit.
— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) December 10, 2017
The magpie received 843 more votes than the Ibis, our true bin queen. You know what this means? 843 magpies hacked this poll, the clever little devils. #BirdOfTheYear
— Omar Sakr (@omarsakrpoet) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/bikeymikey70/status/939978787625639936
As for the other birds which didn’t claim top spot, well, their supporters have come out in their defence.
https://twitter.com/Xtrackka/status/939966759569731584
It doesn't matter which bird wins #BirdOfTheYear
The kookaburra will have the last laugh.
— James Reinhardt (@Just_James_) December 10, 2017
Spotted: birds drowning their sorrows after #birdoftheyear upset pic.twitter.com/cQpOklPunV
— Farz (@FarzEdraki) December 10, 2017
View the list of the 10 birds with the most ‘Bird Of The Year’ votes, below.
‘Til next year, bird-lovers…
2017 Australian Bird Of The Year Results
1. Australian magpie
2. Australian white ibis
3. Laughing kookaburra
4. Tawny frogmouth
5. Superb fairywren
6. Rainbow lorikeet
7. Willy wagtail
8. Wedge-tailed eagle
9. Southern cassowary
10. Splendid fairywren
