Juvenile Black-billed Magpie Launching From Rabbitbrush

I love it when iridescence flashes back at me from Black-billed Magpies in flight. Much more often than not it doesn’t happen at all or you just get small areas of it but this bird was an iridescence show-off.

 

black-billed magpie 8531 ron dudley

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

I photographed this juvenile two days ago on Antelope Island. Right now the juvies are molting and they’re particularly scruffy about the head and back of the neck but in this view it doesn’t show as much because the head is pulled back a little. The molt is more apparent in the right wing. Earlier in the year juveniles have much shorter tails than adults but the tail of this bird is almost full length.

In this shot I like the iridescence (obviously), the position of the right wing and the “running” posture of the legs. I realize that some folks aren’t magpie fans but I’ve always loved them and my fondness for them continues to grow despite the exposure challenge they usually present.

Ron

23 Comments

  1. I am definitely a magpie fan and this is a wonderful image. I haven’t had any luck with photographing magpie’s yet, but keep hoping.

  2. They are so pretty! And I do love their attitudes.

  3. I’ve been living with magpies all summer without getting a picture. Thanks for yours.

  4. Oooh. And ahhh.
    I love magpies, and their warble (slightly different to those in the duet) is home to me. Cheeky charmers.
    And ours have no iridescence, and are still beautiful.

  5. I love magpies because they are so comical! Last year they nested in our yard. When they lost a little one, which perhaps fell from the nest, the adults gathered around and mourned loudly for quite a long time. The picture is lovely! When I played the song my standard poodle was unimpressed until the magpie joined in; then he had to come and see where the bird was!

  6. A fantastic capture of the iridescence of this bird. I think it may be the best I’ve seen in your photos. And I love that you posted the Donovan song, which sounded familiar, although I haven’t listened to him in many years.

    I’ve learned to never judge other people for what their favorite bird is, given that one of my very favorites is one people generally hate (Canada Geese). I like birds with personality and apparently Magpies have it in spades. Wish I were more familiar with them.

    • “I like birds with personality and apparently Magpies have it in spades.”

      Yup, they certainly do, Susan. Throw in intelligence and playfulness and you have a fascinating bird to watch. And their vocal array is very impressive – especially their more subtle sounds.

  7. Loved the addition of the lovely song to a lovely image ! When I think of winter in northern Utah, immediately I “see” magpies playing against a ground of snowy sagebrush.

  8. Christina Greutink

    I love corvids , Ron! And I’ve ony seen Yellow-billed Magpies in my travels. Thanks for another beautiful shot! Their tails are magnificent, aren’t they?

  9. Beautiful shot of what is one of my top of the list favorite birds!!! I love hearing him sing a duet with Donovan, a brand, new wonderful discovery…thanks to you and Jorge, a great start to my day! I consider Magpies the “Beautiful Brats” of the bird world and especially love them for their “naughtier” ways as much as for their cleverness and beauty…

  10. Wonderful shot Ron! Unfortunately I couldn’t get the sound to work on my tablet. I’ll try later on my laptop.

    Charlotte

  11. I love Magpies since I was a teenager and heard a song from a Scottish folk singer (Donovan). The song’s name was “The Magpie” and is one of the 22 songs of the album “A Gift From A Flower To A Garden”.
    Thank you for awakening in me such fond memories.

  12. They are beautiful even if a real pain when it comes to dog/chicken/bird food! 🙂 The iridescence is wonderful – good shot!

    • Thanks, Judy. They can be raucous and loud in my yard too darned early in the morning but they make up for it when they deliberately tease my neighbors cats by pulling their tails from behind as the cats lay on the grass with their tails twitching. I could watch that all day!

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