I always address a lone Magpie with "Good Morning/Afternoon Mr Magpie, How's your lady wife?"
Pippa000
A beekeeping friend of mine always tells the bees of any important 'happening' in the household.
Apparently this started centuries ago, when upon the death of a beekeeper, the new keeper had to formally introduce themselves to the bees. This was supposed to keep the bees in their hive, as if they didn't know their new keeper, they may desert the hive.
She also always talks to the bees in a calm, quiet voice, and will happily sit with a coffee on a nice afternoon and chat to them! When they start answering her back, I'll have her committed!