I’ve mentioned before how I am often followed by magpies (or, at least, that’s how it feels) and I thought this fellow sitting happily watching us on the gate was my “one for sorrow” for the day until I noticed his colouring.
Is it a crow? I wondered. But he looked a bit different. Maybe a Jacksaw? Rook? Raven? Instead of guessing I got the trusty bird guide out and I think he might be a carrion crow, although stand to be corrected.
While we are on the subject of birds. In contrast to the all black, this little one is called a superb starling (I’d have to agree with that). It caught my eye when we visited Africa Alive and seemed very inquisitive.
And to round off this birds post, I thought I’d show you what I mean about being followed by magpies. There is usually one or, if I’m lucky, two about (and not just at home but other places too) but one day we looked out of our living room window to see ALL the magpies (or 10 plus anyway). They were making a terrible racket too.
After The Rain 
Wow, the colours on the superb starling are so vivid! I thought we had a lot of magpies round our house, but we only have about four! They’ve recently taken to digging our lawn up, which is really flipping annoying!
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No way, what little tinkers. I wonder what you can do to stop that?
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Love the starling shot. Such great colours. If that’s how you get followed by magpies, I’d be a little concerned!
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It happens so often I just embrace it now (as long as there are two!) 🙂
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The blue on that starling is amazing! X
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It was behind glass too so I’m sure it’s even more vivid in real life.
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Oh wow. Great shot hun x
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Hi Tara, I am no expert either, so you could be right. I remember seeing a starling very similar to the one in your photo in one of the bird houses at Paignton zoo. The blue inkiness of the darker feathers and the striking colour of the eyes made it a stunning looking bird.
We used to get a murder or charm (love both those words) of magpies collecting in the old elm trees where I grew up. I was under the impression that they weren’t so common now or are you just lucky?
xx
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I guess it depends how you look at it. At first I was quite disturbed by them, especially if there was only one and I was on the way to do something but now I just expect them to be there. Sometimes they are in the park when I run and they inspire me to keep going 🙂
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What a beautiful bird in the second photo, I love the colours
Thank you for linking up
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Thanks for hosting, Darren.
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I love crows, and I’d call that a crow, though I might be wrong. I think I would like one as a familiar. From my father, I’ve picked up the habit of greeting single magpies with “hello sir” (though I don’t know how they take this if they’re female) to ward off sorrow. Very lovely, skilled photos.
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I say “Good morning Mr Magpie how is your wife?” (no idea if it’s male) and Freya has picked up on that now. Hope all is well with you.
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Beautiful birds, you could weave the magpies into your writing?
#MySundayPhoto
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Oooh good idea!
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Oh my goodness I think I counted about 8 there and I can’t remember how the song goes. That blue starling is just stunning!
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I know! I struggled after seven 🙂
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I love the colours on those birds, so beautiful, Clio lending a helping hand for Coombe Mill
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Thanks, Clio 🙂
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I can see why he’s called a superb starling! His colours are amazing.
#Mysundayphoto
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Yes, they really live up to their name!
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What an amazing close up! The bird looks so delicate. #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you 🙂
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Beutiful shots – I love the superb bird! Gorgeous colors.
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Thank you, Carol.
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I’m rubbish at knowing the bird species but I absolutely love watching them in the garden. Fab shot, gorgeous colours.
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Thanks, Kate 🙂
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Magpies congregate on my porch all the time. I think they know I am rather fond of them!
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I quite like them now but at first it was a bit worrying, especially as I’m quite superstitious.
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Here in the states, people aren’t so superstitious about magpies. However, I live in Montana where a lot of beef is raised and magpies are generally despised because they are carrion and can do a lot of damage to young or injured cattle. I’m contrary and like them anyway.
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Wow, what a striking bird! I love watching birds in our yard but don’t know what they all are.😎
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I guessed about five different birds so thought it was best I looked it up 🙂
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Wow what a breathtaking photo, what an amazing capture, I bet you watched for ages x
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you. I did have to sit very still.
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