Magpie

Butch and Cass the pied-butcherbirds have had a better year too.  Chucky is the newest addition to their fold.  Butch and Cass took a leaf out of Maggie's book and have let two year old Dimpy stay on for another year.  They reckon they need the extra pair of eyes (or rather wings) to help them mind their super energetic kids.  Kerry too is enjoying the company having an older and younger sibling around.  Chucky has a beautiful singing voice - really fine and mellow  - quite unusual as he is just a very young chick. 

Reader Lynell sent us this story and pictures:

28 Jan 08:

It’s so nice to find a site that features Magpies. I just wanted to share some photos of my Maggie. We actually had a Mum & Dad live here for the past 3 years. 

The birds love us visiting their patch to look at their nests and catch a glimpse of their chicks.  Most of the time, their nests are too high up in the trees for us to get a look inside.  But once the babes are bigger and peer over the edge, we can introduce ourselves.  Sometimes the chicks even call us and stand up to show themselves.  Maggie and Vicky have always proudly shown us their nests and babes.  Larry and Harrie, the grey butcherbirds too.