Australian Magpie

[RockOne]

G'Day.
A couple of pictures of the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), which is quite a common bird around here. The second one could probably have done with a little more DOF :-).

[dewmuw]

Wow - those eyes are fierce! Looks nothing like a magpie though! :)

[RockOne]

:-) . They are different to UK magpies, which I know about, but haven't actaully ever seen.

They are fierce looking eyes. Actually they can be scary birds at times, especially in the nesting season. This one is a juvenile I think.

[Scottes]

That second one is quite the image! With an expression like that who cares about DoF!

[dewmuw]

:-) . They are different to UK magpies, which I know about, but haven't actaully ever seen.

They are fierce looking eyes. Actually they can be scary birds at times, especially in the nesting season. This one is a juvenile I think.

Do people think of them as unlucky? Some do in the UK.

[spelchek]

Do people think of them as unlucky? Some do in the UK.

Only when their beak connects with your cranium as they swoop on you from their 'lookout' tree during nesting season .. when that hap[pens, you definatly feel unlucky :)

[dewmuw]

Only when their beak connects with your cranium as they swoop on you from their 'lookout' tree during nesting season .. when that hap[pens, you definatly feel unlucky :)

They're agressive then?

UK magpies have a bad reputation. They do predate lots of other birds eggs and chicks (in fact we lost a robin family last spring) but they are only doing what comes naturally.

They also are claimed to 'steal' bright shiny objects such as rings and things.

[Littlenose]

very nice pics... i'm hoping to get a shot or two of one of the magpies playing around on the lawn infront of my office... if they're half as good as these, i'll be very happy :D

[RockOne]

Thanks Scottes.

Do people think of them as unlucky?

Not that I know of in terms of omens etc, but you consider them unlucky if you pass under their nest during their nesting season, as Spelchek says. For this reason, they are sometimes regarded as a pest.

They're agressive then?
They are agressive. They are known to attack smaller birds, and will fierecely defend their nest. They don't usually eat other birds however, usually things underground like spiders, and insect larvae. They listen for them moving around underground.

Littlenose - not too sure about UK magpies, but these ones get fed the odd scrap of mince, and are therefore reasonably tame, and not really bothered if you get close to them. When you get the picture post it up here, I'm now curious to see a UK version :-).

[boomer1959]

The second one is a very cool shot :D

[RockOne]

Thanks Dave

[Ed Rotberg]

Nice use of fill flash, especially on the first. They're both great images. I still like the 2nd - the narrow DOF just accentuates the eyes even more. Very nice!

= Ed =

[MegaTrixel]

#2 - an awesome shot!

[marie]

#2 - an awesome shot!


I agree 100%

really great

congratulationshttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

that must be the look other birds see close uphttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[Vicki76]

ARGG we have Magpies in our front yard (Melb, Oz) and they keep swopping people. I love your pics of them I might have to try and get some pic of them myself

Well Done

Vicki

[RockOne]

Thanks all for the comments. The flash was mainly used to try and get the eyes to stand out.

that must be the look other birds see close up

Never thought of it like that. I guess its also the last image some unfortunate spider sees too :-)

Vicki76 - try feeding them a little mince. They tend to become less agressive towards the hand that feeds :-), and it also allows you to get closer to them.