From time to time I’ve mentioned my family of Magpies that visit my place and beg for a little food. I have had the odd picture here as well. Last weekend I took a few pictures of the young’ns and so now I will tell you their story.

The Australian Magpie is quite a large bird, black and white, can be quite territorial, often have family groups, can be cheeky and can become tame, sometimes aggressive when they have young in the nest. My family of Magpies have been visiting for the past 3 or so years.

Maggie maggie is the Mum. I can distinguish her by her one droopy wing. I think she must have had an accident at some time and one wing hangs a little compared to the other. She will fly down to my deck and then stand at the back door…a sliding glass door, and look in and sometimes tap on the glass to get my attention…. for me to give her some food (minced meat or dry cat food).

This is the gum tree next door where she has had her nest for the last 2 years.

This is Bit and Bot, last spings (Sept/Oct07) babies when Maggie first brought them down from their nest. They are sitting on my clothes line.

Maggie with Bit & Bot last weekend. The babies are quite independent, but sometimes they still visit all together. Bit is very cheeky and will take food from my hand and even let me stroke his chest although he will give me a peck just to make sure I don’t get to sure of things. Bot is a bit more shy. Bit will sit at the back door and squawk for attention.

‘Bit’

Maggie with the previous years brood (Spring06)

One of the Spring 06 young, all grown up, looking for food after I mowed the grass last week.