Magpie Flight

[PeterD]

Every one knows that the magpie is a black & white bird but, in flight I noted a flash of blue. This made me determined to try and catch one in flight to see if my eyes were playing tricks.

Before shooting I studied typical flights and found they were usually short distance, considerable flap rate of the wings but, when comfortably airborne, the flap rate reduced and a short glide followed. Armed with this info, all I had to do was find the right subject.

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/500/Magpie-3172334.jpg (http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=5985&limit=recent)

I didn't have time to increase my focul length but I managed to freeze the action. Low and behold, there was the blue I had noted. Most of this colouring is covered when the bird is at rest as it is on the inside wing feathers.

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Peter, the iridescence of the flight feathers of many birds can cause apparent colour anomalies. Just watch a drake Mallard in breeding plumage waddling about at your local duck pond.

Colin

P.S. Nice photo of the Magpie

[AndyB]

Hi Peter, nice shot. Magpies are under-rated in the color dept. As always, we can rely on Mr Robinson's photos where you can see the Magpie blue on perched birds

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20060725041010.jpg
http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20070525050919.jpg

and look at the myriad of colours on this bathing bird:
http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20060718120853.jpg

In the right light, definitely not your average black and white bird.

[PeterD]

Colin & Andy,

Thank you for your replies and for the links Andy. I have found that there are very few images of the magpie compared with other birds. I just love the images on the links. The last one looks as if the bird is having a mud bath.

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Just seen those two shots of John's - the second one (in-flight) is an absolute cracker.

I was going to say that if John had broadband and posted these as larger file-sizes they would look even better, but decided against it :laugh:

A beautiful bird (they nest in my garden in London) BUT there are too many of them and they do an awful lot damage (despite what the RSPB says). Quite a rare bird in Portugal.

Colin

[Brian S]

Colin

You say they are a rare bird in Portugal, but only in the south (Algarve), but get to Beja, and northeast of it, they are nice and common, and becoming increasingly frequent south of Mertola towards Vila Real.

Brian S

[Colin Key]

Colin

You say they are a rare bird in Portugal, but only in the south (Algarve), but get to Beja, and northeast of it, they are nice and common, and becoming increasingly frequent south of Mertola towards Vila Real.

Brian S

Brian,

I had been here eight years before I saw my first Pica pica at Castro Marim. On my last visit there (three weeks ago) I actually saw three birds together. I do not think they are that common between Mertola and Vila Real (which covers the Castro Marim area) because I am there almost weekly and I think my sum total of sightings in eleven years is still just 7 birds. They are still very infrequently reported on SPEA's weekly "Noticiário Ornitológico" as scarce birds.

Unlike the Azure-winged variety which are breeding like rabbits; we have a winter roost on Qta da Rocha of 100-150 birds -- this species is reaching "nuisance-level". I have witnessed a small group of about eight birds attacking and killing a Song Thrush for no apparent reason. A couple of weeks ago I was taken to a locality at Qta da Saudade (near Lagoa dos Salgados) where a friend was staying and had found two overwintering Short-toed Eagles (an adult and a juvenile) which he said were being mobbed by Azure-winged Mags. Unfortunately I did not have the camera gear with me, but I was treated to incredible views of this young eagle perched in a dead cork oak being attacked by the AW Mags and at one point a magpie was actually perched on the eagle's head and was pecking away at the eagle's bill - unbelievable stuff.

Colin :wideeyed:

[john robinson]

This is my favourite magie shot. This really shows the blue.!
Cheers
John R

[PeterD]

Thanks John,

Thats a lovely shot.

The distressing thing during the nesting season is when the magpies raid other bird's nests.
A few years back, our cat climbed the tree next to our house and approached a magpie nest. I was very concerned for the safety of our cat as the magpies just mobbed it. Luckily the cat retreated and the magpies gave up after the cat slipped in doors. Quite frightening.

PeterD