Our artist Claire (who designed nearly every t-shirt in this range) saw a poor magpie tied to a tree with cassette tape string. So she ran over and untied it, and for the rest of ...
Our artist Claire (who designed nearly every t-shirt in this range) saw a poor magpie tied to a tree with cassette tape string. So she ran over and untied it, and for the rest of the years she lived in the area that magpie and his full family would sit with her when she used the outside table.
The poor little magpie did break his leg but always managed, even if with a rough landing or two. Magpies are a misunderstood Australian treasure, and don't deserve the hate. Sure, they swoop sometimes, but who doesn't? We made a full range for them: fun designs about their swoopy nature, and more affectionate ones for our little friends. All designed, printed and shipped from our Sydney studio.
For about six weeks every spring the magpie runs the local reign of terror, and there is no point pretending otherwise. This part of the range leans into it: designs about getting swooped, surviving swooping season, and a grudging respect for a bird that will absolutely come for the back of your head while you cycle to work. If you have ever worn an ice cream container with cable ties on your helmet, you already understand the assignment.
The rest is for the people who actually love them, which we do. Softer magpie tees, totes and hoodies for the ones who learn your face, sit with you at breakfast, and carol at dawn whether you asked for it or not. The magpie is one of the most intelligent birds in the country, capable of recognising individual human faces for years, and most of the people they swoop are the ones they have decided are a threat. The rest of us they mostly tolerate, and occasionally befriend.
The collection runs across regular and oversized tees, hoodies, long sleeves and tote bags, all unisex, sizes XS through 5XL, printed to order on AS Colour blanks in Sydney. The blanks are Amfori BSCI audited, Better Cotton Initiative certified and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. Nothing is mass produced or sitting in a warehouse. Magpie designs sit within our wider native bird range alongside ibises, kookaburras and the rest of the local cast.
Magpies swoop to defend their nest during breeding season, roughly September to October in most of Australia. It is almost always the male, and almost always aimed at people he has decided are a danger to his chicks. Only a small share of magpies swoop at all, and a magpie that knows and trusts you will usually leave you alone. The standard advice is to walk rather than run, keep eye contact where you can, and take a different route during nesting season if a particular bird has taken a dislike to you.
Yes. The Australian magpie is a protected native species across the country, so it is illegal to harm, trap or kill them. Swooping is a seasonal nuisance, not a reason to hurt the bird. The better response is patience for the few weeks of nesting season, which is the spirit the whole collection is made in.
Every design in this collection is drawn, printed and shipped from our studio in Sydney. We print to order on ethically sourced blanks, with free standard shipping on Australian orders over $85 and international delivery via DHL Express. Production usually takes 2 to 4 business days before your order ships. Strewth.
