New birdy friend

[rattfan]

 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?

Comments

[leecetheartist]

The male Western Australian subspecies dorsalis is white-backed, pretty much like the White Backed Magpie, but the equivalent area in the female W.A one is scalloped black.

If you think he might be back and want to feed him again, check on what's safe for him. Insects, fruit and walnuts are also options. You would think mince would be ok but there's issues with it.

[siyamau]

Handsome fellow! My Aussie bestie always told us of tales of magpies apparently more attracted to - was it dark hair, or blonde hair? And how they'd swoop people, so anyone with that hair colour would take to wearing hoods/hats/disguises in magpie season?!

[rattfan]

I don't think anyone's safe in nesting season, whatever their hair colour! Most recently I heard it was blond - i.e. someone saying they would attack her little brother, who was blond, but not her, so she used to hold an umbrella over him on their way to school :-) But I've had the odd swoop and I haven't been blond for a long time.

This bird hadn't got the memo, though, he was definitely stopping in for lunch.