Black-billed Magpie style, directed at no less than a feisty little raptor.
Yesterday I teased my readers about an encounter I had two days ago with a large flock of Black-billed Magpies that were ‘playing’ with a pair of American Kestrels, implying that I’d be posting photos of that encounter soon. I still haven’t had time to carefully review those photos, much less cull and process them, and it’s looking like circumstances will keep me from posting them anytime soon.
But yesterday I couldn’t resist processing one of them that stood out, so I decided to share it today.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Both the magpie and the male kestrel had been perched on the wire when the magpie decided to show the little falcon who’s boss. I took an entire series of photos of the encounter and I’m pretty sure that this one will end up being my favorite, for reasons that should be apparent.
I virtually never assign titles to my photos but I’m making an exception for this one. I’m calling it “Intimidation”.
The flock of 20 or more magpies and the pair of kestrels “played” with each other for almost half an hour, so you can imagine how many photos I have to review, cull and process. The action was very difficult to photograph well and I already know that many of those photos are of mediocre to poor quality.
But some of them aren’t bad and I documented the behavior, which for me was the most important objective. Now I’ve just got to find the time and opportunity to go through all of them.
Ron
Yikes. Is this the Redtail Hawk’s attack? Was prey delivered as pay so the Magpies would go after her and her spouse? 😀
Wow, thanks for the sneak preview. Looking forward to seeing more from the magpie/kestrel interaction. Seems very unusual.
Mr. Kestrel is about to have his own “Magpie Hat!” This shot is a definite winner! I hope you’re feeling up to the culling soon (even if you never go through the shots, I just hope that your back feels better💜).
Thanks so much for sharing this rarely seen encounter between these species! Quite the size difference, and interesting that it lasted for so long!
-Eric T.
Love the title too!
Great shot!!! Love the title.
An amazing capture! What phenomenal feather detail!
Fabulous fight shot! Thinking maybe Magpie picked on Mr Kestrel because he knew Madame Kestrel would fight back harder and possibly inflict injury. 😂 That size differential is pretty amazing, and now I understand how dragonflies can actually make a meal for these little falcons.
Thanks, Chris. Interesting theory about why the magpie picked on the male kestrel. His mate wasn’t far away.
perfect Ñame for this photo! Intimidation indeed!
! Magpies are some of my favorite birds as my black and white tuxedo cat way favorite of that species🤗
I’m glad you like the name, Eloise. Thanks.
Spectacular photo!
I’m so glad you decided to continue with your blog.
Love this photo! Great actions shot!! So much goes on in the bird world on electrical wires. I recently saw a Merlin fly out of nowhere and go after a flock of Mourning Doves on some high-tension wires. It happened so fast I didn’t even have a chance to lift my camera up.
It’s good to have you back and to see what you’ve been shooting. By the way, I love that Burrowing Owl photo from your first post back on Sept 25th. And of course, I thoroughly enjoyed all the American Kestrel and the Red-Tailed hawk photos!
Thanks, Joanne. Your comment reminded me that it’s been years since I’ve seen a Merlin.
This confirms my feelings about magpies. We had them move into our trees in Bountiful – and all of the beautiful, colorful birds moved out – or were killed
I’m glad this ‘little” kestrel seems to be holding his ground (or her ground). Those magpies are MEAN – and would dive at the kids when they were out in – and around the pool. You and Larry B. told me I should NOT try to knock the nest down – so I didn’t – but always wished that they had NOT moved in. (Lots of poop on the decks after that as well – and they are noisy.)
Judy, I’ll admit to not being a happy camper years ago when magpies were nesting in my big Elm tree right next to my house. When their chicks fledged you could hear their caterwauling through the entire neighborhood. As you say, they are LOUD and often annoying.
But I still love magpies.
So amazing! Thank you for relieving some of yesterday’s tease. Echoing Michael’s comment – “it has an otherworldly quality about it”.
Whew!
So sorry your back is acting up. And computer, and “bad shit in bunches”. Definitely hope that doesn’t include an in-your-face intimidating magpie!
“hope that doesn’t include an in-your-face intimidating magpie!”
That’s one scourge that hasn’t hit me yet, Carolyn. Not that I’d ever think of a magpie as a scourge – intimidating or not.
I always knew kestrels were tiny (and cute) but with a looming magpie it really puts it into perspective!
Pick on someone your own size! >:O
That’s one of my favorite things about the photo, Amy – the excellent size comparison.
What a terrific photo! The magpie, with its wings and tail fanned out and its claws extended, is truly intimidating. But obviously, seeing yesterday‘s photos with the hawk, a small kestrel is not to be taken lightly. Always fun to see these, Ron. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed them, Ellen. Thanks.
Excellent photo Ron. Always wished we had Magpies here.
The Kestrel is yelling out, “Get away you big bully, I’m going to
get my cousin Peregrine to come take care of you.”
Thanks, Everett. As you know, magpies are one of my favorite birds.
That photo is fantastic in so many ways! We’ve got a lot of kestrels and magpies around Fort Collins, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen them interact. I can’t wait for more shots from the series.
Thanks, Bill. I don’t recall seeing them interact before either. At least not like this.
WOW! “Intimidation” certainly fits! Many “darlin Magpies” are making their way back into the yard for winter. I always enjoy it when they get some of what they give out…. 😉 Pair of GHOW’s checking out the yard and calling the last couple of days. Hopeing they come back! Hope “circumstances” aren’t a negative in your life!
As you know, Judy – I have a soft spot for Montana GHOW’s.
“Circumstances” are a variety of things – including a bad back getting worse, vital fall chores that I’m extremely slow to do as a result, a primary computer that may be on its last legs and a trip to another state that I should take but may not be able to. Other things also. In my experience, bad shit comes in bunches. Or should I say squirts…
I’d wondered if the back was acting up again…….. All under the heading of “life is what happens when you have other plans”…… 😉 Hope it sorts itself out!
Sorry to hear that the back is getting worse again. I hope you can get it under control without another surgery!
on the brighter side, it’s always fun in my opinion to buy something new—-like a new primary computer. 😉
“it’s always fun in my opinion to buy something new—-like a new primary computer.”
That’s a sentiment we don’t share, Sue. Besides the expense, setting a new one up is a royal PITA!
My sentiments exactly! 🙂 I have to do that jig also due to Windows 11 which I’ve managed to stall off until this time next year with “free” continuting updates. AND, I’m sure your set up is MUCH more complicated than mine! 😉
Oh my, Ron! Having lived only on the east coast and midwest I’ve never had the opportunity to see these two side by side. I didn’t appreciate just how large the magpie is. Poor Kestrel. Sometimes a guy just wants a peaceful morning on his favorite perch….
“Sometimes a guy just wants a peaceful morning on his favorite perch….”
Diane, when I tell the rest of the story, you’ll learn that the kestrels were dishing it out as well as taking it. I think all of them, magpies and kestrels, were just having fun. Although this particular encounter looked a little more serious.
Outstanding!!!
Thanks, Dan. I think it’s pretty special.
Truly remarkable photo Ron. The posture of each bird is striking on its own. Together it’s … well, truly remarkable. Three or four different stories could be written from that photo, with each being completely different from the others.
“Three or four different stories could be written from that photo”
Thanks, Mark. I hope to tell “the rest of the (real) story” sometime soon.
That is an amazing shot. Have never seen these two species interact with one another. It has an otherworldly quality about it.
“Intimidation” is a perfect name. I can just feel it when I look at that image. The makings of an epic encounter. If you were filming a movie, this would be the movie poster marquee.
More please!
““Intimidation” is a perfect name.”
I’m really glad you think so, Michael. Whenever I looked at the photo, that name kept popping out to me. To me it seems like a natural but I wasn’t sure if others would agree.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a magpie. That makes the magpie’s appearance as interesting as the behavior. If asked “What color is a magpie?” I would have said black; I enjoyed and was surprised by the white portions of the body, and the wing feathers. The spread of the tail reminded me of our boat-tailed grackles.
Shoreacres, when the light strikes magpies just right their iridescence brings out even more unexpected colors – including blue, green and violet.