The Javan Green Magpie is one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the world.
Ghost magpies are birds that, through a genetic mutation, exhibit imperfect albinism. The mutation means the amount of black pigmentation in their feathers is much lower than in normal black-billed magpies, giving them a distinct white-grey colouring and, curiously, blue eyes.
The grey magpie with two normal-coloured magpies
Leucism results in reduced pigmentation which makes the bird's plumage more transparent. This genetic phenomenon is really rare: it occurs in less than one bird in six million!
Twenty, the future, It's now or never.” This rhyme was first printed in 1820 in James Orchard Halliwell's collection of nursery rhymes and has been popular ever since. It's believed to originate from an old English superstition about magpies being messengers of joy or sorrow, depending on how many are seen together.
Nine for a kiss, Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss, Eleven for health, Twelve for wealth, Thirteen beware it's the devil himself.
The well-known magpie rhyme goes: One for sorrow Two for joy Three for a girl Four for a boy Five for silver Six for gold Seven for a secret, never to be told Eight for a wish Nine for a kiss Ten for a bird you must not miss .
Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a story yet to be told.
What Is A Group of Magpies Called? There are many collective nouns for magpies, but perhaps the most common names for a group of magpies are a conventicle, gulp, mischief, tidings or tribe of magpies[i].
Salute the magpie. Say 'Good morning general' or 'Good morning captain'. Say 'Good morning Mr Magpie, how is your lady wife today? '
They believe the magpie will never inject any sort of bad luck if the person keeps the bird happy or shows utter respect. People are told that he/she should salute or wave at a magpie to show respect. Some also believe that greeting the bird also helps to fend off bad luck.
Interesting fact: It's true, magpies remember your face. They have excellent recall for faces and very long memories. So, if you've been swooped before, or even if you just look like someone they swooped last year, you're likely to get the same treatment again.
Australian Magpies (Cracticus tibicen) are very widespread and live in suburbs across Australia where there are trees and adjacent open areas such as lawns, golf courses and playing fields. For most of the year, Magpies are friendly and sociable, and may even venture into your house to beg for food.
The Malayan black magpie (Platysmurus leucopterus) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. Despite its name, it is neither a magpie nor, as was long believed, a jay, but a treepie.
Due to the albino magpie's white pigmentation, Mr Rumble said it was susceptible to a high rate of predation. "He'd be a prime target for crows or any other bird of prey," he said. "He is a genuine albino and the statistics around a genuine albino magpie are around one in a million.
Around the world, it's believed albino magpies are incredibly rare. ABC reported in May the bird was "one in a million" . Darren Rumble, operations manager at Trowunna Wildlife Park in Tasmania, said: "The statistics around a genuine albino magpie are around one in a million.
You can easily tell these similar birds apart by their eyes. Currawongs have yellow eyes, whereas Magpies have red-brown eyes and Butcherbirds have very dark brown, almost black eyes.
In order to ward off bad luck, greet the sight of a lone Pica pica with the words: 'Good morning, Mr Magpie, how are Mrs Magpie and all the other little magpies? '
While magpies might be better known for their aggression, they also display extremely submissive behaviours. 'Young birds and subordinates will bow down and shake their tail feathers when a dominant male or female is near,' Connelly explains.
Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a story yet to be told. We've all grown up with the magpie rhyme. Most of us have (or had) grandmothers who shudder upon seeing a solitary magpie, immediately scanning the sky for another that will allow them to swap sorrow for joy.
Harmony Insectivore Mix is a safe and healthy way to attract wild insectivorous birds such as kookaburras, magpies, sparrows and swallows to your backyard. This Insectivore Mix provides wild birds with a rich and balanced source of quality protein along with essential vitamins and minerals.
The months following fledging are a dangerous time for young magpies, with a high percentage failing to make it through the first year. If the young birds survive to breed, their average life expectancy is around three years. Some live much longer than this, with the oldest recorded being more than 21 years old.
Eleven for health. Twelve for wealth. Thirteen beware it's the devil himself.
Magpies are really quite lovable and it is easy to learn to live with these wonderful birds. A magpie friend is a good friend to have, particularly in the garden where it will eat up all your grubs!
Regular feeding risky for magpies
"The worst thing would be feeding a huge amount of food at the same time every day because you're going to have birds waiting instead of doing their wild things and foraging around. "Be a little more random about it so the birds are forced to find alternate sources of food."
Males are typically larger than females and have longer beaks, while females are usually smaller with shorter beaks. The physical traits that allow for identification of the gender of adult White-backed magpies are located on their napes and mantles which are key areas to observe in the White-backed magpie.