Magpie prank on Edmonton AM has city squawking

The winds of change? Or feather-headed bureaucracy?

Plans to make the Magpie Alberta's official bird had Edmonton AM listeners all aflutter Friday morning.

During the show, it was announced that the'Great Parrotof Alberta' would upsetthe stately Great Horned Owl from its coveted perchas Alberta's favourite feathered emblem.

A bird bureaucrat by the name ofSteve Pernicious,the superintendent of provincial heraldry, explained that the ubiquitous magpie with its black and white plumage and relentless song was a more appropriate symbol for Albertans.

Edmonton AM8:26Out with the old, in with the blue

The province has decided the magpie is now our provincial bird. The winds of change? Or feather-headed bureaucracy?

And if the news had you squawking mad, our apologies.

It was all an April Fool's joke.

But before the prank was called off, listeners had plenty of time to pick away at the pros and consof the proposal.

Do you think the magpie should earn a place as Alberta's provincial bird, or was this just a fowl idea? Let us know in the comments section below.