Wednesday 27 June 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday 309 - Australian Magpie

The Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen) is a common street bird near my house.  They are my almost constant companions on walks around the neighbourhood.  I really like them.

Just like the Currawong from last week, these birds are more closely related to Butcherbirds than crows.  The name Magpie comes from an association with the colour of Magpie (Pica pica) from Europe.

Most of these birds were making use of a bit of sunshine to stock up on food.









As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue button.    Cheers, SM.

21 comments:

  1. Striking bird. It looks like it's wearing a suit.

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  2. The pattern of light and dark is "reversed" as it is in our Bobolink, which also has a similarly shaped light patch on its nape.

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  3. Hari om
    Not to forget their joyful warbling call... delightful birds. YAM xx

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  4. I remember this bird well from my last visit to Australia, Stewart, and I am very much looking forward to seeing them again. If I remember well this bird has attitude!

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  5. Yes I also like thse birds. I have australians staying with me at present and they saw the UK MAgpie today adn said it is not like our one!! They are NOt bird watching. Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week.

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  6. What a lovely looking bird much nicer than our European noisy magpies!! Great photos.
    We are away next week, so if I go AWOL, I will be back the following week I hope.
    Cheers Diane

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  7. Very striking birds! Love the plumage and stout beaks!

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  8. Definitely a bird with attitude. We have had a pair of the European version nesting and breeding in the garden for the past two years … much to a neighbours disgust!!

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  9. He looks like a crow that has had someone paint some white on his back! :-)Awesome to get to see your version of the magpie!

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  10. It is really different from the one that we are used to in Europe.
    Have a good week, Stewart, and thanks for hosting!

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  11. I have not posted in a while but ran across some interesting (well, all birds are interesting to me) birds while driving into town. It is summer here in lower Middle Tennessee, USA and it is blazing hot. I did envy your quiet time in front of the fireplace.
    Jeannie@GetMetoTheCountry

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  12. The Magpie, even though not related, reminds me of our crows only with more color. Wonderful series.

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  13. The Magpie looks like he got into some wet white paint..Great pics..Hope you are having a good week..

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  14. Can't imagine my ever saying "I really like them" about our UK Magpie.

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  15. What a handsome bird - I think I caught a glimpse of a magpie in central Oregon, but not enough to be sure.

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  16. Can you ship us a breeding pair of these guys. Lovely.

    Very nice shooting

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  17. Different coloration from ‘our’ magpies but similar behavior....obviously cousins. We don’t see them near either of the places where we live now, but did in Colorado ..and grew up with them in Eastern Washington State. Thank you for hosting...nice to be back.

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  18. Those common birds that most folks just pass by are some of the most beautiful! Wonderful shots.

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  19. Great shots of one of my favourites. We have been lucky enough to rescue many fledglings and they make wonderful companions.

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