Young Black-billed Magpie perched among serviceberries – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last Friday I found this Black-billed Magpie perched in a serviceberry shrub high in the mountains and stopped to take photos of the young bird. I was delighted to see the developing berries and most of all to have the color green in the background.
This is the time of year when young Black-billed Magpies form flocks and band together to make noise and learn about their world. Behind and below this single bird I could see at least fifty more immature magpies in the area. They were quite noisy and I enjoyed their calls.
Calling young Black-billed Magpie in a serviceberry shrub – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I kept my focus locked onto this young magpie as it called repeatedly from the berry laden perch it was on.
This Black-billed Magpie has violet-blue eyes which indicate that it is a young magpie. The adults of this species have very dark brown to black eyes. The shorter tail, gaps in feathers on the face and the red coloring inside the bill of this young bird also indicate that it is not yet mature.
Immature Black-billed Magpie on a serviceberry in the mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was able to take a nice series of images of this young magpie perched in the serviceberry. When it lifted off from the shrub the bird turned its head and I didn’t have any eye contact with it. I had been hoping for a great take off shot.
I know that some people find Black-billed Magpies annoying but I love and appreciate these intelligent members of the corvid family.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.
They sure are chatterboxes aren’t they? Great shots. Thanks Mia.
How wonderful that the service berries are setting fruit. I can only imagine the noise that fifty juveniles could make but am sure it was music to your ears.
Beautiful photos! I think it is interesting how juvie’s white chest has a grayer tinge. I love the baby blues! I am glad they are not congregating in my yard this year. Last year I did not release a single magpie yet the entire nursery moved in. I have been seeing many up there this year. I observed something I had not noticed before. The juvie magpies were eating the fresh cow pies! I have watched magpies turn over old dry cow pies and look for insects in and under them but never seen them eat the still steaming!
Just love this…