In French speaking traditions the magpie is also a thief. To me magpies are literally thieves. They take shiny objects which are sometimes valuable. I've heard

In French speaking traditions the magpie is also a thief. To me magpies are literally thieves. They take shiny objects which are sometimes valuable. I've heard more than one story of people who lost jewelry to magpies. Of course, even though they are territorial it isn't obvious that magpies understand that they are stealing. But their intention doesn't change the result.