Wednesday 3 April 2019

M for MAGPIE

The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus Gymnorhina and is most closely related to the black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi). It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which is a corvid.

The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head and the female has white blending to grey feathers on the back of the head. With its long legs, the Australian magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground.

Described as one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, the Australian magpie has an array of complex vocalisations. It is omnivorous, with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates. It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range. Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia and New Guinea. This species is commonly fed by households around the country, but in spring a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests.

Over 1000 Australian magpies were introduced into New Zealand from 1864 to 1874 but have subsequently been accused of displacing native birds and are now treated as a pest species. Introductions also occurred in the Solomon Islands and Fiji, where the birds are not considered an invasive species. The Australian magpie is the mascot of several Australian sporting teams, most notably the Collingwood Magpies, the Western Suburbs Magpies and Port Adelaide Magpies.

The Darebin Parklands provide an ideal habitat for magpies so large numbers of these birds may be seen throughout this nature reserve. Their distinctive melodious song announces their presence and one may approach them quite closely before they walk or fly away.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.


6 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Magpie photo and perfect for M

    Happy Days to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  2. I love the look of these birds, but we certainly don't need an invasion of 'em.
    Thanks for joining the linkup at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/04/somethings-squirrely-on-april-fools-day.html

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  3. Interesting the categorization of magpies.
    Melody wishes she could visit this week, but is dealing with life stuff

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  4. They are definitely noisy but easily frightened off. I like hearing them as they do have a lot of different noises they make. Thanks for the info. I knew they had to be introduced here in NZ but didn't know when.

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  5. Cool place to relax. Thanks for sharing this article about magpie. Try to check this too
    Types of Insectst

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