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Sunday 24 November 2013

Magpie (Pica pica)

With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades - scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks.






43 comments:

  1. The magpies are cool birds, great shots!

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  2. Deze brutale eksters heb je weer prachtig gefotografeerd Bob......scherpte en kleuren zijn uitstekend.

    Groet, joop

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  3. Beautiful photos of the bird, Bob!

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  4. Beautiful photos ! Black-and-white birds are elegant !

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  5. Beautiful birds to see Bob... I am lucky to see them often in the garden.

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  6. Lieber Bob,
    Elstern haben keinen guten Ruf. Es sind Diebe
    und sie räubern die Nester der anderen Vögel.
    Aber es sind majestätische Vögel.
    Einen schönen Restsonntag wünscht dir
    Irmi

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  7. Bob wat heb je de ekster er heel mooi op staan.

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  8. Beautiful bird. You have the most beautiful birds on earth there :)

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    Replies
    1. Ooh, there are many birds that live in USA as well Keith.

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  9. very stylish birds! i'd love to see one.

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  10. Pica Pica is probably one of the best names ever. Great bird.

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  11. Just Gorgeous shots of him.. I had one in my cherry tree the other day. They stay for the winter here or just never leave. Im always fascinated by them.

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  12. These birds are not my friends Rob nests and hunt small birds away empty them but they are very nice thank you so much for your comment hugs Danielle

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    Replies
    1. Oh, on occasion they do that. But, they get away with all sorts. They are geniuses.

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  13. We have them here. I saw one here in town just the other day. I think they're beautiful in their black and white tuxedos. Super shots you took!

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  14. They are really striking to look at and I like the way the do that hoppy thing across the ground. Not a nice call though. From Findlay

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  15. Always interesting and amusing birds to see and observe Bob, and in the right light their colours are so spectacular!
    Lovely images...[;o)

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  16. det er en av mine yndlings fugl. kjempe bra !

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  17. The descruiption sounds the same but our magpies look a bit different. Sounds like they have the same habits, ours are really nasty when they are nesting, divebomb the children. Your images of them are beautiful!

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  18. Excellent shots Bob!!!I see them every day!!
    So many magpies in my area!!!
    Lovely birds!!
    Dimi...

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  19. Beautiful and elegant bird, great shots Bob.

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  20. Bob, rascally Magpies! We get them here in Canada, but they haven't made it to the coast yet!

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  21. I love their contrasted feathers!

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  22. Bonitas fotos le has hecho a esta Urraca , Bob.

    Saludos.

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  23. Your magpies are so different to our birds of the same name. And different to the North American magpies too.
    I love ours - their black and white livery, their musical gurgle and their cheeky nature. And I accept that during the nesting season the males will swoop anyone who goes too close to their nests.
    Thank you for the photos of your magpie. It is lovely to see them.

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    Replies
    1. Magpies are Magpies, everything they do, it's natural.

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  24. Pretty Girl ! Thank you for your magical photos Bob !
    Sweet week.

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  25. Sleek handsome!

    Back in the day. . . . Before Madonna even!

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  26. Hi Bob. I like the plumage of thes birds however there is a gang of them near my home Nd they bully the smaller birds and take the young from their nests at breeding time.

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  27. Beautiful shot with the food in its beak.

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  28. never able to catch them ! this is something for you Bob !
    great shots ! ciao

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  29. Beautiful bird and lovely pictures...

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  30. They look so beautiful...i guess they have the right to be a bit arrogant in such case :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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  31. Well done Bob!
    They don't come to my garden! :(
    Cheers and enjoy your day!

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