Wednesday 23 September 2009

‘Little One’ – Juvenile Australian Magpie

Little One is one of last year’s young. Her mother abandoned her when she was a fledging, probably because she’s not quite right in the head. When she’s with the rest of his family, she’s extremely submissive, sitting with her belly on the ground and squawking. If she gets within striking distance of the matriarch – normally a gentle, placid bird – she attacks her. She never learns.

Every morning she knocks on the window with her beak, then stands back waiting for her daily treat. The whole time she’s eating, she’s chattering. Magpies don’t usually talk while they’re eating.

2 comments:

  1. He sounds fabulous - I always chatter when I eat too.

    :))

    Axxx

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  2. Wow, my first comment. Thank you, Anne! xx

    ReplyDelete