Auckland, New Zealand-1601

The Australian Magpie is native to Australia and was introduced into New Zealand in the 1800s, they are well known to the locals for its characteristic calls and they have a reputation for swooping on people during the breeding season. There are two sub-species found in New Zealand the White-backed form that has spread through both the North and eastern South Island, while the Black-backed form are found mostly in the Hawke's Bay region. The reason the Magpie was introduced into New Zealand was to control agricultural pests, and were therefore a protected species until 1951.