Beside the caption "you will always have a special place in my heart", an image of Molly was uploaded to social media on Monday having been seemingly edited into a photo of Peggy, the bird's faithful companion. responding to the "confusing" image said they interpreted the caption as having "sad" undertones.
Disappointed fans commented that "it’s not fair to post something suggesting that one of them passed away. It’s not fair at all to make us feel sorry and sad," a woman wrote. Meanwhile, others took aim at the alleged "Photoshopping".
Each concerned comment attracted an onslaught of responses of their own, prompting the couple behind the viral magpie's notoriety, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, to eventually issue a statement.
"Despite headlines from media outlets 'Fears around Molly the magpie' MOLLY, PEGGY & RUBY ARE HEALTHY HAPPY AND LOVING LIFE," they said on Instagram. "Well we certainly do know how to get in the headlines.
"We will continue to spread happiness and positivity as we do. Any news these beautiful animals will come directly from us so just be careful what you read."
Queensland couple Wells and Mortensen say they rescued Molly the magpie when the bird was a chick in 2021, claiming on social media they found the animal injured on the street and were unable to reunite it with its family. The duo became famous online in the ensuing years for the bird's relationship with the couple's pet dog Peggy — with Juliette even having a book published them.
