Wednesday 9 January 2013

Sing a song of sixpence...


No blackbirds - or black and white birds in any pies here, thankfully!

Yesterday, I heard one of the three magpie youngsters trying out their voice and honing their skills.
I crept up to the back window and hoped they wouldn't notice me while I tried to video them. Luckily, no. Singing merrily and being slightly distracted by the odd bug, this willing warbler continued to merrily practice.
And, even though it will be a while before their song is as well developed and melodious as their parents, it is sweet nonetheless.

At this age, it is difficult to tell the gender of magpies, so I can't yet refer to them as she or he. In adult females, the 'hood' on the back of the neck tends to be more mottled/greyish-white than the very white of the males. 

The adult Australian magpie has one of the most complex and beautiful songs. Not only do they serve to defend territories, the calls maintain social structure and group (family) recognition. They can identify and locate each other throughout the neighbourhood.
Often, when I watch a youngster sing, I'll hear its parent call out in the distance. They will stop, listen, reply and before long, mum or dad appears.
The youngsters will continue to develop and add to "their" song until they leave their parents' (or natal) territory around seven months later.

To hear magpies carolling in the early dawn is heartwarming and a lovely way to start the day.

And so, here is our little Aussie warbler...


9 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this magpies practice session. I adore their call, and often sit and listen to them in the mornings. When I have been overseas, it is the song of the magpie which truly tells me I am home.

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    1. The magpie call is pretty special isn't it?

      I love watching the youngsters. They are such characters. I've seen them try to pull fibres out of mats and end up rolling over their heads in somersaults, or try to pull up sticks they are still standing on and ending upside down :D
      They put a smile on my face.

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  3. DARN! i can never get the video to play. something about miles of ocean i suppose. or miles between austalian and u.s. satellites! so now i am fascinated by the call of the little magpie and will check google for the sound of it over here.
    XOXO!
    tam

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    1. Oh dear Tam. I hope the file isn't too large. Perhaps I need to reduce the size, I'll check it out. I'm still new to videos and having them the right size for viewing.
      Hugs xx

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  4. How lovely! When I was in Australia, I didn't catch them but I did catch the white ones with the yellow feathers on top of their heads. Very beautiful!

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    1. Hi Kim, we do have some amazing birds :)

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  5. LOVE the glimpse of prayer flags... and the magpie! ;o) We have magpies here--lots of them. Two years ago we had one nesting in the top of our big old lilac tree. Oh, those babies were noisy... LOL! Fun post, my friend... Happy Days ((HUGS))

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    1. Haha, the babies are noisy aren't they? But, so cute and it's wonderful to watch them grow. Also love their antics - they are such characters!
      Have a great weekend Tracy! :)

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