# Researchers in Queensland fitted five Australian magpies with GPS trackers, hoping to map their movements and understand how age, sex or rank affected the way the flock behaved. However the birds had other plans. Within minutes after being fitted, the magpies started using their beaks to help each other get the trackers off, which they managed successfully. The researchers interpreted this as moderate problem-solving. They added that this was not a failed tracking trial, as this has prevented the same design of trackers from being used in a larger study.
Tracking trial turns sideways as five Australian magpies remove each other’s trackers