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John Pastor's avatar

Hi Dave,

Mary and I saw magpies every day the year we lived in Umea, Sweden. They hang out with wagtails there.

John Pastor

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Dave Benson's avatar

Mycket bra, John! Två bra fåglar!

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Barbara Z's avatar

Beautiful bird, I do not think I have ever seen a Magpie. Thanks for introducing me to it Dave.

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Dave Benson's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, Barbara!

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Michael Marden's avatar

I really enjoy reading your posts.

Thanks,

Mike

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Dave Benson's avatar

Thanks, Mike! Makes me happy to hear!

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Allison Jensen's avatar

Thank you, Dave!

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Aria Vink's avatar

Thank you, Dave, for another great post. Even though I don’t see magpies very often anymore, I used to see them all the time when I still lived in the Netherlands. They really are part of many folklores and myths and it’s understandable. When they’re there, they’re THERE. Very prominent and vocal birds.

Here in Florida, we have the grackles and they remind me of magpies in many ways.

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Dave Benson's avatar

Thanks, Aria! You have the big, loud grackles--agreed they're magpie-like.

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The Goaty Thistle's avatar

I live in Northern MN and it's not uncommon to lose my entire first planting in my garden due to these curious birds. They love to rip out tender new seedlings. We often have over a dozen following our goat herd around the pastures. I even have a video of one stealing a mouse from our barn cat. It's hard not to get a little frustrated with them at times, but they are a beautiful and majestic bird as well as comical to watch.

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Dave Benson's avatar

Natural to be frustrated at that! I can imagine it's a beautiful sight seeing that many with your goats.

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Terry O'Brien's avatar

I live north of Deer River, MN, in Suomi. Whereas in the late '70s, early '80s, I used to see the occasional magpie in these open pastures and hayfields, for many years their numbers have been increasing. They live and breed here and are with us all winter. It is not uncommon to see them perched on the backs of the small herd of cattle that are our next door neighbors.

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