More magpies!

carolmc...@comcast.net

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Aug 19, 2024, 3:07:05 PM8/19/24

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I have been reluctant to add my comments, but so many have shared their wonderful stories of Black-billed Magpies, I have to chime in. I am a volunteer at the Denver Zoo. A pair of BB Magpies have nested in a tree that stands between a yard of ungulates and a yard where African Wild Dogs reside. This summer, I watched as 2 adult magpies and 4 juvies cavorted in the Wild Dog habitat, picking up bits left over from a feeding for the dogs. The dogs repeatedly charged at the birds, but weren’t successful in grabbing any! It was especially fun to watch our 3-legged dog join in the chase! This was all enrichment the keepers probably hadn’t thought up!

Jim Nelson

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Aug 20, 2024, 10:39:56 AM8/20/24

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Growing up in Englewood in the Denver suburbs in the 1960's, we had plenty of Black-billed Magpies at our house. They spent lots of time poking around the lawn looking for food. We had a pet collie, and the magpies seemed to particularly relish teasing her, landing on the lawn near her and then taking off at the last possible minute as she tried to catch them. This was repeated constantly, providing exercise and stimulation for both species I imagine.

Jim Nelson

Bethesda, MD

On Monday, August 19, 2024 at 03:07:05 PM EDT, carolmccasland via Colorado Birds <cob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I have been reluctant to add my comments, but so many have shared their wonderful stories of Black-billed Magpies, I have to chime in. I am a volunteer at the Denver Zoo. A pair of BB Magpies have nested in a tree that stands between a yard of ungulates and a yard where African Wild Dogs reside. This summer, I watched as 2 adult magpies and 4 juvies cavorted in the Wild Dog habitat, picking up bits left over from a feeding for the dogs. The dogs repeatedly charged at the birds, but weren’t successful in grabbing any! It was especially fun to watch our 3-legged dog join in the chase! This was all enrichment the keepers probably hadn’t thought up!

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Courtney R

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Sep 6, 2024, 11:12:15 AM9/6/24

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Two magpies showed up at my feeders this morning. They are a rarity at my feeder, so this is the first time I have ever seen them with their summer ‘haircut’. No wonder they’ve been hiding ha ha 😄