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Australian magpies (basically, large butcherbirds) have striking black-and-white plumage as adults, and some of the loveliest voices of any birds. Since they do not hesitate to inhabit towns and cities, they are widely appreciated by Australians -- most of the time. During the breeding season, parents, especially males, can get very aggressive about defending nests, diving and painfully striking people in the back of the head. The brownish young birds were quite approachable; city adults are also tame but 'country' adults are among the most difficult of all birds to approach The pictures were taken at Fowlers Gap research station in northwestern New South Wales, and in Wollongong, on the southeast coast of NSW. |
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