Saluting the Lone Magpie is a custom in the United Kingdom.
Do you know: People not only in the UK, but also everywhere in the world consider a lone magpie an omen of bad luck or death.
It is believed that since magpies mate for life, a lone magpie without his mate is a sad omen. Hence when one sees a lone magpie, one always tips its head, greets the magpie and ask after the well-being of its missus (wife), so as to ward off any bad luck and have faith that the magpie will not pass on any misfortune.
