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New birdy friend
Oct. 17th, 2019 05:24 pm photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOu17BreftBmTOEaHfOwW9NHvmMDtKkn3PSY78LHxd-Bx2MFQwjJwoZzhLQQtYtCg/photo/AF1QipN2pRCNZZ4UxdO2IXHyv4quAsMi4G4Up2JUBlm8
Australian Magpie aka Swooping Murderdeathfeatherbomber [thanks to 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?
Australian Magpie aka Swooping Murderdeathfeatherbomber [thanks to 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?