Is this a butcher bird???

[BluJay]

I want to say magpie. There are six of them coming around now. They usually are racing through my neighbors trees, making strange calls. It's only been the past three or four days they've been coming down into the yard.



Hoping its a magpie that makes different sound. Regards.

[Pictorella]

Juvenile Aust. Magpie

[vettepilot_6]

Magpie..Butcher birds have a little hook on the end of their beak.... http://www.mdavid.com.au/birds/images/b ... magpie.jpg

http://www.fauna.com.au/web_pages/anima ... rbird.html

[matcho]

BJ,
It is a juvenile Magpie, can become quite friendly and can be hand fed easily. I have had a regular family come around with the kids, never caused me any problems although others think otherwise. On the other hand a Butcherbird is an entirely different thing, very distinctive blood curdling ( but nice ) call. Probably 2/3rds the size of the magpie with a longer tail. Dead set predators. Butcher being the operative word. I note in your previous posts that you cage breed in a garage/shed. If you are unlucky enough to have a local pair and they find a way in through open doors,windows etc then it will end in grief as they will view your set up as a takeaway food bar. Just be vigilant.

Good luck,

Maggies to me are good.

Ken.

[BluJay]

BJ,
It is a juvenile Magpie, can become quite friendly and can be hand fed easily. I have had a regular family come around with the kids, never caused me any problems although others think otherwise. On the other hand a Butcherbird is an entirely different thing, very distinctive blood curdling ( but nice ) call. Probably 2/3rds the size of the magpie with a longer tail. Dead set predators. Butcher being the operative word. I note in your previous posts that you cage breed in a garage/shed. If you are unlucky enough to have a local pair and they find a way in through open doors,windows etc then it will end in grief as they will view your set up as a takeaway food bar. Just be vigilant.

Good luck,

Maggies to me are good.

Ken.

Thanks Ken, I really like the sound of the magpie. Miss hearing them every morning. These have been very shy and stay in the trees, chasing one another. I have read about the butcher bird since coming to the form, but have never seen one, or it least I don't think I have. So every bird I see I think butcher bird. I used to think these little black and white birds that jump into the windows were butcher birds. Forget what they're called. I've had run ins with masked lapwing bird, like they run me out of the yard and back into the house, my little dogs too! Stingy mean bird.
I might set food out for the young magpies. That's probably why they're coming about. Thank you everyone for the info and links, Vettepilot_6. Your all fantastic. Kind Regards.

[Redwing]

it's best not to feed them but they do appreciate a reliable supply of water to drink and bathe in.

[Brooksy]

Maggies to me are good.

Ken.[/quote]

I must agree about the magpies I have a family of them here and never had a problem with them.
They are however all over the chook food like a fat kid on smarties