White-backed Magpie, a very Black-backed one - and Satin Bowerbirds

[Philip Veerman <>]

Actually Magpies vary in many ways across their range, that was established with genetic studies many years ago. They also vary in back colours. My (old) understanding was that the geographic variation in genetics does not really align to variation in back colours. So that suggests that whilst variation in back colours is obvious, it probably isn’t important to them. No doubt this comment is simplistic and it certainly wasn’t my work.

Canberra region is close to the divide between these two forms, so we do have a lot of variation (more than most parts of Australia). About being usually companionable, but there are squabbles is probably common with any group of magpies. The issue there is the relationship between the individuals.

White backed birds are here, maybe 5 to 10 % (that is just a guess).

The very black necked one in your photo is surely very odd. I don’t think I have ever seen one without the white nape and white along the upper arm and just a few spots of white on the neck, as that one appears to have.

Philip

_____________________________________________
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Barbara Preston via Canberrabirds
Sent: Thursday, 13 May, 2021 7:05 PM
To: Canberrabirds list
Subject: [Canberrabirds] White-backed Magpie, a very Black-backed one - and Satin Bowerbirds

There is a female White-backed Magpie that hangs around in the hope of the odd grub or worm as we work in our garden and the one next door. She comes with two to four Black-backed companions. They are usually companionable, but there are squabbles over titbits. See top two photos.

I was looking through photos from last year, and noted one of her companions with a very narrow white collar – the bottom photo is the only one I have of it.

·       How common are White-backed Magpies in Canberra?

·       Is the one with the very small collar unusual ? (Or just an odd photo of an ordinary B-BM?)

We have had a pair of Satin Bowerbirds around here in O’Connor – female seen among the canes of a primrose jasmine yesterday and today (and seem on a gate in our garden briefly last week), and male started a bower with bright blue and silver objects in kangaroo paws a couple of months ago, but so signs since. Good reason for me not to “clean up “ all the dense, neglected growth in our garden!

Barbara Preston

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