Post by Eaglehawk on Sept 13, 2019 9:50:28 GMT
Australian Magpie - Cracticus tibicen
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Artamidae
Genus: Cracticus
Species: Cracticus tibicen
The Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen is a medium-sized black and white bird, closely related to the butcherbirds and currawongs in the Artamidae family. Early European settlers named it for its black and white coloration, similar to the familiar European magpie, which is a more distant relative.
Familiar birds around Australia and New Guinea, magpies were introduced into New Zealand in the 1860s and are proving to be a pest by displacing native birds.
Description
Adult magpies are fairly solid, well-built birds with pure black and white plumage: juveniles mix the stark blacks and whites with lighter greys and browns. Males and females are generally similar in appearance, though a few exceptions noted under individual varieties below.
Mature magpies have red eyes, in contrast to the yellow eyes of currawongs and white eyes of Australian ravens and crows. Immature birds have darker brownish eyes.
Subspecies
There are currently thought to be nine subspecies of Australian magpie.
The black-backed magpie, originally known as Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen, has been split into at least three black-backed races:
G. tibicen tibicen, found in eastern New South Wales
G. tibicen terraereginae found across Queensland, central and western New South Wales and into northern South Australia
G. tibicen eylandtensis, found across the Northern Territory
G. tibicen longirostris, found across northern Western Australia
The White-backed Magpie, originally G. tibicen hypoleuca, has similarly been split into races:
G. tibicen tyrannica, a very large white backed form found across southern Victoria
G. tibicen telonocua, found in southern South Australia.
The Tasmanian Magpie, G. tibicen hypoleuca a small white-backed subspecies with a short compact bill found on King and Flinders Islands, as well as Tasmania.
The Western Magpie, G. tibicen dorsalis in the fertile south-west corner of Western Australia.
G. tibicen papuana, found in southern New Guinea.
Social Structure
Magpies live in groups with a strict heirarchy setup of a dominate male 2 to 3 females and any number of young up to about 20 individuals.
Magpies occupy permanent territories used for feeding, roosting and nesting. Depending on the area (ie amount of grazing area, trees etc) the size of their territory varies from roughly 10 to 20 hectares.
Diet
Magpies are omnivorous. The Australian Magpie walks along the ground searching for insects and their larvae. Birds will also take handouts from humans and will often venture into open houses to beg for food. They also eat small animals like lizards. They may also eat their own digestive products.
Nesting
Magpies mate throughout the year, but generally in winter. Nesting takes place in winter, and chicks hatch in early spring. By late summer the babies either form their own flock or separate from their parents but remain in the same flock. They make their nest out of small sticks and little leaves. They make them all stick together using a mixture of dirt and water. If the female magpie has too many babies, it will make a nest, maybe out of an old street sign or a little hole.
Swooping
Magpies tend not to be afraid of people, and they live in urban areas as often as in the bush, so magpies are a familiar sight to most Australians, and their melodic song is widely enjoyed. However, if magpies feel threatened while nesting (typically in August-September in southern Australia), even by an inadvertent intrusion into their territory, they will often swoop at the intruder and audibly "snap" their beaks in an attempt to drive them away. Magpies generally swoop from behind, and without warning, so attacks can be somewhat terrifying, particularly to children. For this reason, local authorities sometimes post warning signs during "swooping season", particularly in urban parks. Magpie attacks can cause injuries, typically wounds to the head and eyes; however, this is uncommon. Being unexpectently swooped while cycling, can result in loss of control of the bicycle, resulting in injury and is not uncommon.
To avoid swooping attacks, the best course is to avoid the territory of nesting magpies during the relatively brief nesting season. Magpies are a protected native species in Australia, so it is illegal to kill or harm them.
If it is necessary to walk near the nest, some people prefer to wear protection. Magpies prefer to swoop at the back of the head; therefore, keeping the magpie in sight at all times can discourage the bird. Using a basic disguise to fool the magpie as to where a person is looking (such as painting eyes on a hat, or wearing sunglasses on the back of the head) can also prove effective, as can holding an object above one's head. In some cases, magpies may become extremely aggressive and attack people's faces; it may become very difficult to deter these birds from swooping. If a bird presents a serious nuisance the local authorities may arrange for that bird to be legally euthanised, or more commonly, to be caught and relocated to an unpopulated area.
It is claimed by some that swooping can be prevented by feeding the magpies. By this is meant not putting out a feeder, but feeding them in person. The idea is that humans thereby get removed from the "danger" category. As always when feeding wildlife, feeding should be irregular so as to discourage dependence.
Rare, 'Dalmation-like' spotted magpie photographed beside Victorian road
ABC Mid North Coast By Emma Siossian
PHOTO: The bird has been described as a "dalmation magpie" on social media. (Supplied: Sandy Goddard)
Sandy Goddard was travelling from work this week, on a road she uses most days, when an unusual sight caught her eye.
Key points:
[li]The bird's unusual colouring is caused by a condition called leucism[/li]
[li]Local residents say they suspect it is feeding young[/li]
[/ul]
"I spotted him on the side of the road just outside of Geelong, in Victoria," Ms Goddard said.
"I thought it was a weird looking rock at first. Then he moved!"
Ms Goddard enjoys bird photography and said she was lucky to capture some clear images, after stopping on the side of the road.
"I really hope he doesn't get hit by a car, it's a bloody busy road," she said.
"He was right out the front of a house and they probably see him everyday and don't even realise how special it is."
Magpie a rare bird
Birdlife Australia's Mick Roderick, said the bird's unusual spots were caused by a rare condition called leucism, a genetic variation in the cells responsible for producing black pigment.
"Birders would probably describe [it] as being 'piebald', but its plumage is explained by a condition called 'leucism'," he said.
"It's very uncommon.
"This bird has a good mix of dark (normal) and leucistic feathers, which is what makes it look piebald."
Last year, a rare white leucistic magpie was found in Adelaide Parklands.
'Dalmatian magpie'
While most Australians are familiar with magpies and their distinctive, warbling song which resonates through both bush and city, many keen twitchers report they have never seen a magpie quite like this before.
Ms Goddard's photos were shared on a bird photography page on social media, where they have generated a lot of interest.
PHOTO: Some locals report they have been watching the magpie for around 18 months. (Supplied: Sandy Goddard)
"That's not a magpie — it's a Dalmatian! Look around as there's another 100 somewhere nearby," Louise Howe wrote.
"A Dalmatian magpie!" Simone Stoicov wrote, while Peter Haynes described it as an "Appaloosa maggie".
Helen McDonald said the spotted magpie brought back happy memories for her.
"There used to be one near my late parents home, in the '90s in Beaconsfield Victoria; they called it Freckles," she said.
Babies to feed?
Colour, and colour variation, can be important to birds, especially when it comes to choosing a mate.
Ms Goddard said despite its uncommon appearance, the magpie appeared to be doing well, and some locals said they suspected it had a mate and young to feed.
"A few local people have contacted me after seeing the photos to tell me they've been watching the bird for around for 18 months," she said.
"A few suspect he has a nest nearby due to the large mouthful of worms."
www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-13/rare-dalmation-like-spotted-magpie-photographed-in-victoria/11509778?sf219341545=1&fbclid=IwAR0UI-c3ahM9w0nYq42JCrC2TvGniy-IW0oKmthmJ2w5dcOwXrYYf2DfCSg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Artamidae
Genus: Cracticus
Species: Cracticus tibicen
The Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen is a medium-sized black and white bird, closely related to the butcherbirds and currawongs in the Artamidae family. Early European settlers named it for its black and white coloration, similar to the familiar European magpie, which is a more distant relative.
Familiar birds around Australia and New Guinea, magpies were introduced into New Zealand in the 1860s and are proving to be a pest by displacing native birds.
Description
Adult magpies are fairly solid, well-built birds with pure black and white plumage: juveniles mix the stark blacks and whites with lighter greys and browns. Males and females are generally similar in appearance, though a few exceptions noted under individual varieties below.
Mature magpies have red eyes, in contrast to the yellow eyes of currawongs and white eyes of Australian ravens and crows. Immature birds have darker brownish eyes.
Subspecies
There are currently thought to be nine subspecies of Australian magpie.
The black-backed magpie, originally known as Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen, has been split into at least three black-backed races:
G. tibicen tibicen, found in eastern New South Wales
G. tibicen terraereginae found across Queensland, central and western New South Wales and into northern South Australia
G. tibicen eylandtensis, found across the Northern Territory
G. tibicen longirostris, found across northern Western Australia
The White-backed Magpie, originally G. tibicen hypoleuca, has similarly been split into races:
G. tibicen tyrannica, a very large white backed form found across southern Victoria
G. tibicen telonocua, found in southern South Australia.
The Tasmanian Magpie, G. tibicen hypoleuca a small white-backed subspecies with a short compact bill found on King and Flinders Islands, as well as Tasmania.
The Western Magpie, G. tibicen dorsalis in the fertile south-west corner of Western Australia.
G. tibicen papuana, found in southern New Guinea.
Social Structure
Magpies live in groups with a strict heirarchy setup of a dominate male 2 to 3 females and any number of young up to about 20 individuals.
Magpies occupy permanent territories used for feeding, roosting and nesting. Depending on the area (ie amount of grazing area, trees etc) the size of their territory varies from roughly 10 to 20 hectares.
Diet
Magpies are omnivorous. The Australian Magpie walks along the ground searching for insects and their larvae. Birds will also take handouts from humans and will often venture into open houses to beg for food. They also eat small animals like lizards. They may also eat their own digestive products.
Nesting
Magpies mate throughout the year, but generally in winter. Nesting takes place in winter, and chicks hatch in early spring. By late summer the babies either form their own flock or separate from their parents but remain in the same flock. They make their nest out of small sticks and little leaves. They make them all stick together using a mixture of dirt and water. If the female magpie has too many babies, it will make a nest, maybe out of an old street sign or a little hole.
Swooping
Magpies tend not to be afraid of people, and they live in urban areas as often as in the bush, so magpies are a familiar sight to most Australians, and their melodic song is widely enjoyed. However, if magpies feel threatened while nesting (typically in August-September in southern Australia), even by an inadvertent intrusion into their territory, they will often swoop at the intruder and audibly "snap" their beaks in an attempt to drive them away. Magpies generally swoop from behind, and without warning, so attacks can be somewhat terrifying, particularly to children. For this reason, local authorities sometimes post warning signs during "swooping season", particularly in urban parks. Magpie attacks can cause injuries, typically wounds to the head and eyes; however, this is uncommon. Being unexpectently swooped while cycling, can result in loss of control of the bicycle, resulting in injury and is not uncommon.
To avoid swooping attacks, the best course is to avoid the territory of nesting magpies during the relatively brief nesting season. Magpies are a protected native species in Australia, so it is illegal to kill or harm them.
If it is necessary to walk near the nest, some people prefer to wear protection. Magpies prefer to swoop at the back of the head; therefore, keeping the magpie in sight at all times can discourage the bird. Using a basic disguise to fool the magpie as to where a person is looking (such as painting eyes on a hat, or wearing sunglasses on the back of the head) can also prove effective, as can holding an object above one's head. In some cases, magpies may become extremely aggressive and attack people's faces; it may become very difficult to deter these birds from swooping. If a bird presents a serious nuisance the local authorities may arrange for that bird to be legally euthanised, or more commonly, to be caught and relocated to an unpopulated area.
It is claimed by some that swooping can be prevented by feeding the magpies. By this is meant not putting out a feeder, but feeding them in person. The idea is that humans thereby get removed from the "danger" category. As always when feeding wildlife, feeding should be irregular so as to discourage dependence.
Rare, 'Dalmation-like' spotted magpie photographed beside Victorian road
ABC Mid North Coast By Emma Siossian
PHOTO: The bird has been described as a "dalmation magpie" on social media. (Supplied: Sandy Goddard)
Sandy Goddard was travelling from work this week, on a road she uses most days, when an unusual sight caught her eye.
Key points:
[li]The bird's unusual colouring is caused by a condition called leucism[/li]
[li]Local residents say they suspect it is feeding young[/li]
[/ul]
"I spotted him on the side of the road just outside of Geelong, in Victoria," Ms Goddard said.
"I thought it was a weird looking rock at first. Then he moved!"
Ms Goddard enjoys bird photography and said she was lucky to capture some clear images, after stopping on the side of the road.
"I really hope he doesn't get hit by a car, it's a bloody busy road," she said.
"He was right out the front of a house and they probably see him everyday and don't even realise how special it is."
Magpie a rare bird
Birdlife Australia's Mick Roderick, said the bird's unusual spots were caused by a rare condition called leucism, a genetic variation in the cells responsible for producing black pigment.
"Birders would probably describe [it] as being 'piebald', but its plumage is explained by a condition called 'leucism'," he said.
"It's very uncommon.
"This bird has a good mix of dark (normal) and leucistic feathers, which is what makes it look piebald."
Last year, a rare white leucistic magpie was found in Adelaide Parklands.
'Dalmatian magpie'
While most Australians are familiar with magpies and their distinctive, warbling song which resonates through both bush and city, many keen twitchers report they have never seen a magpie quite like this before.
Ms Goddard's photos were shared on a bird photography page on social media, where they have generated a lot of interest.
PHOTO: Some locals report they have been watching the magpie for around 18 months. (Supplied: Sandy Goddard)
"That's not a magpie — it's a Dalmatian! Look around as there's another 100 somewhere nearby," Louise Howe wrote.
"A Dalmatian magpie!" Simone Stoicov wrote, while Peter Haynes described it as an "Appaloosa maggie".
Helen McDonald said the spotted magpie brought back happy memories for her.
"There used to be one near my late parents home, in the '90s in Beaconsfield Victoria; they called it Freckles," she said.
Babies to feed?
Colour, and colour variation, can be important to birds, especially when it comes to choosing a mate.
Ms Goddard said despite its uncommon appearance, the magpie appeared to be doing well, and some locals said they suspected it had a mate and young to feed.
"A few local people have contacted me after seeing the photos to tell me they've been watching the bird for around for 18 months," she said.
"A few suspect he has a nest nearby due to the large mouthful of worms."
www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-13/rare-dalmation-like-spotted-magpie-photographed-in-victoria/11509778?sf219341545=1&fbclid=IwAR0UI-c3ahM9w0nYq42JCrC2TvGniy-IW0oKmthmJ2w5dcOwXrYYf2DfCSg