Magpie behaviour

["mariko buszynski via Canberrabirds " <>]

I reported that our magpie group now has a helper.  Recently the group has a new male and for a while the previous male and the new one were seen together without any fight.  The previous male was limping a bit but I thought he would get better, but he disappeared after a few weeks entirely.  The group has only one  male and two females and a female helper.  I was wondering whether the helper would breed because she is not related to the current male.  Yesterday I saw the male was feeding the helper as if she was a fledgling.  What's happening? Is it a nuptial gift?  I have never heard of such a thing in magpies though I saw pigeons doing it just before.  

Any thoughts?

Mariko

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