A regal Magpie in a Ginkgo tree from David, click for full size!
© David Brindley, all rights reserved.
Affinity
Art, Fun, & Nonsense.
A regal Magpie in a Ginkgo tree from David, click for full size!
© David Brindley, all rights reserved.
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What species is it? It certainly looks aloft and above all this mundane stuff.
I believe it is the White-backed magpie Gymnorhina tibicen telonocua.
These birds are native to Australia and are very common in urban areas. They are playful and friendly, although can be aggressive in nesting season. I was once hit side on to the head when cycling, initially thought I’d been hit by a brick.
Fascinating to watch recently as I was feeding the ducks and swamp hens, pigeons would also gather for the crumbs. A magpie would swoop through, scattering the pigeons, but ignored by the other birds. Often the magpie chasing the pigeons would itself be chased by several swallows!
They are very majestic looking. Beautiful birds.
Australia’s favourite bird, according to a recent survey. Full of character and a joy to observe.
They look like they’re wearing lipstick (beakstick?).
I’m so unfamiliar with ginkgos, I tend to mentally associate them with Mesozoic palaeoart -- especially art depicting small feathered dinosaurs in trees. That’s the impression I get from this unfamiliar-looking Cenozoic dinosaur.