I don’t especially like Magpies because of their nest-robbing habits, and I chase them out of our little canyon when the other birds are nesting.
But I have to admit, like the young of almost any critter, baby Magpies can be cute.
These little guys have been flying for about a week and a half now and doing quite well, too.
However this one, while pretty good in the air already, just hasn’t achieved full control over all of his feathers.
(Or, maybe it’s just that his trousers are several sizes too big?)
Montana Outdoors 
well, I’ve heard of magpies, but never seen them. not what I imagined though. these are really nice shots.
LikeLike
Comment by skouba — June 13, 2007 @ 11:55 am
They are actually quite pretty. They’re scavengers and are very useful for that, but they will bully smaller birds and rob their nests. They’re large, in between a Robin and a Crow in size. Their voices are loud and harsh, and they’re a very smart bird.
The adults have very long tail feathers.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 13, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
I’m a big fan of magpies. (It’s a personal totem “of a sort” for me… it seems like whenever I wonder about the direction in my life a magpie flys by and sometimes they seem to direct me.) I’m sure it’s just my imagination however, it happens just often enough for me to think either I’m crazy or I’d be stupid to not consider their impact on my life. not sure. However, from the another perspective I love these photos! I’ve never seen them as babies! Thank you for sharing them… (okay… now to consider why I saw them today on your post…) 🙂
LikeLike
Comment by aullori — June 14, 2007 @ 1:59 am
There is something about them at that. It wouldn’t feel quite as much like home if I didn’t see a magpie (or hear one), they’re such a part of the country. These are part of a family of about 8 in a nest that has been there for years, just up the road from my house.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 14, 2007 @ 7:58 am
Magpies are awesome, and you got some very good shots of them there, Montucky! My attempts have not been nearly so successful. It doesn’t help that neither California Magpie generally exists within an hour of where I live.
LikeLike
Comment by Adam R. Paul — June 14, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
I meant to add – I love last shot where it’s “baggy pants” are flared out. I would imagine that, like in Ravens, this is a male dominance display.
LikeLike
Comment by Adam R. Paul — June 14, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Magpies can really be tough to photograph because they’re very smart birds. It’s hard to get close to them. These live a half mile up the road from me and it’s fairly easy to get close to the young ones. Once in a great while I can get that close to them and those are the times when I don’t have a camera with me. They really are pretty though, with the sharp contrasts of color and the distinct markings.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 14, 2007 @ 6:41 pm