New birdy friend

[rattfan]

photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOu17BreftBmTOEaHfOwW9NHvmMDtKkn3PSY78LHxd-Bx2MFQwjJwoZzhLQQtYtCg/photo/AF1QipN2pRCNZZ4UxdO2IXHyv4quAsMi4G4Up2JUBlm8

Australian Magpie aka Swooping Murderdeathfeatherbomber [thanks to my friend Leece for the term], so called because in their nesting season - now - they are super protective of nests and will swoop humans in the vicinity, say, within a kilometre?

These are not the same bird as the magpies of Europe. When the English arrived in Australia, they saw these black and white birds and hung a familiar name on them, as with so many other things. This one is a Western Magpie (I'm saying that because I'm in Western Australia. To me the picture in my book is identical to the one next to it of a White Backed Magpie and they don't help by interbreeding].

However, this one showed no aggression at all! I was sitting outside when he showed up and walked within easy reach and looked at me. Even when I moved a bit, he wasn't worried. I've had doves come up to drink from the bird bath, realise I'm there and almost have a coronary. When I got up and walked a few strides along the veranda he accompanied me and I realised I was being shaken down. I went in to fetch him a few mouthfuls of lasagna - the only meat item I had - and this was apparently acceptable; he waited while I dropped it nearby and then moved in. A little later when I got my camera, he consented to pose.

This really is a very laid back magpie for the time of year, clearly used to humans being providers of food. Maybe he's a bachelor?

 

Comments

[tree_and_leaf]

Hi, your link is broken, when I click it 404s.

[rattfan]

*sigh* thank you. I have endless trouble with this stuff. Will try again. There. I had inadvertently linked to the pic in my general photos, not the wide-open album to use with Dreamwidth. I hope it works now!

[rain_gryphon]

Such a handsome bird! He just exudes confidence in that pose, too. I really like the long legs, for some reason. Now that he knows he can get food from you, perhaps you'll see more of him.

[shirebound]

Wow, that's quite an encounter. What a handsome lad.

[tree_and_leaf]

Thanks! It works now. He's a very handsome bird!

(I do wish Dreamwidth was better with images).

[rattfan]

I have a feeling I will. He came back a bit later when it was almost dark and stared hopefully at the kitchen window but I closed the shutters as a hint! I thought it was interesting that I didn't know this bird, so hadn't made any approach to him first. He just chose to try his luck with this random human, perhaps because he's done it before with others and it worked. I don't know his age, of course, but he's possibly a young bird who hasn't found a mate yet.

Juvenile magpies must drive the parents nuts - they continue to scream and beg for food when they're as big as the parents. Some magpie parents would take their adolescents to the front lawn of some flats where I used to live and run for it (g). Possibly a not so gentle hint that it's time you started getting your own food!

[yourlibrarian]

Heh to the bird shakedown. A striking looking bird -- I don't think we have magpies in our area.