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Public
Cheeseness

I haven't spotted them, but I saw an adult butcherbird enter the nest with some breakfast this morning, so the chicks must've hatched \o/

An adult butcherbirds seen between wattle leaves feeds an unseen chick in its nest
The adult butcherbird settling down in the nest after feeding their young
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Cheeseness

Baby wattlebirds have left their nest too!

A baby yellow wattlebird pokes its head out above the leaves of a field maple tree
One of the baby yellow wattlebird's parents drinks from a field maple flower
The baby yellow wattlebird seen from below with its emerging wattle and tongue visible
The baby yellow wattlebird reaching out to lick a flower
Public
Cheeseness

And almost all the bably lapwings are nearly grown up now (the family with 4 babies left the park I visit after the recent storms - I hope they just found somewhere better to be)

A juvenile masked lapwing standing in short grass next to a rusty piece of farm equipment
An adult masked lapwing keeps a look out while one of its nearly grown up chicks warily wanders around
The previous juvenile masked lapwing with one of its siblings, walking through short grass near a footpath and two dandelion flowers
Public
Cheeseness

Saw more babies today. Lapwings conserving energy as the days start to warm up, the little yellow wattlebird still incessantly asking for food, and most excitingly, I got my first glimpse of my magpie family's new baby - not quite out of the nest yet, but very very close!

A pair of juvenile masked lapwings in front of a water maintenance access point on a grassy strip. The one on the left is sitting on the ground resting, with its beak tucked back in behind its shoulder. The other is standing before settling in to rest too
The baby yellow wattlebird from previous photos, looking down at the camera from high up in a tree
An Australian magpie nest high in a wattle tree. The silhouette of a chick can be seen standing on its edge looking down
Public
Cheeseness

Didn't see the magpie chick this evening. I think it's still in the nest. I did get my first glimpse of one of the baby butcherbirds (I think there are two) during feeding time. Both parents were attending today, and appeared to be sharing food between them to both take feeding duty.

A nest seen through wattle leaves, with adult butcherbirds standing on either side, looking down at their young. Just barely in view, a gaping maw pokes out from some light brown fuzz toward the parent on the right.
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Cheeseness

This morning was the morning for babies! Baby wattlebird asking for a feed, baby butcherbird soaking up some morning sun (still hasn't opened its eyes), and at last, I got to meet my magpie family's newest member, this little cutie

A baby yellow wattlebird looks up and begs for food from an out-of-frame parent
A baby butcherbird lifts its head above the rim of its nest, eyes not yet open, and a little mohawk of baby fluff on top
A baby Australian magpie stands in a garden bed under a tree, looking toward the camera
That same baby Australian magpie standing upright in short grass, seen through a gap in a tree's leaves
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Cheeseness

Here's a video of the baby butcherbird repositioning itself in the nest. In the previous photo, there are some hints of wattle on the chin - I don't know if that's normal for butcherbirds or if we're looking at a brood parasite

Edit: Or maybe it's just a couple of twigs in the foreground?

Public
Cheeseness

Hung out with the little one for a bit this morning ^_^

A baby Australian magpie in an overgrown garden bed seen from behind. Blades of grass poking up through the mulch droop onto its head and back
That same baby Australian magpie turned around to inspect the grass
The baby Australian magpie turns to look over its shoulder back toward the camera after stepping out into the sun
The baby Australian magpie with a wing out to steady itself as it stmbles around on a pile of mulch
Public
Cheeseness

Breakfast from mum

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Cheeseness

Couple more baby photos from last night

A baby Australian magpie looks over its shoulder down toward the camera from high in a tree
A baby wattlebird on a horizontal branch begs for food from an adult (who doesn't have any)
Public
Cheeseness

Hung out with my tiny friend this morning for a bit and got some more glimpses as the baby butcherbirds (pretty convinced now that there's two)

A baby Australian magpie leans forward on a lichen covered branch, preparing to hop to another
That same baby Australian magpie with wings outstretched to balance itself as it sidles along a branch
A butcherbird nest seen through wattle leaves. On the right, a raised head with a beak and fluff can be made out
That same butcherbird nest, where this time an adult can be seen on the left, with a tiny beak reaching up toward it. On the right is the previously raised head
Public
Cheeseness

I love these days, watching their personalities start to emerge. This one spends more time in trees than its older siblings did, and is a lot quieter/more relaxed than the last chick (who still doesn't feel comfortable when I'm around ;_; )

A baby Australian magpie leans back to look past the tree stump it's on to look at the camera
The baby Australian magpie seen past tall grass, begging for food from its Dad with open beak and hungry wings
The baby Australian magpie standing in the morning sun with its eyes closed
The bby Australian magpie standing on a pile of mulch, just behind its Dad
Public
Cheeseness

I also spotted the baby's grown up siblings (the youngest is on the left at the beginning of this, and still has some juvenile grey on its chest) mucking around this morning. Playtime isn't just for little ones

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Cheeseness

Got some nice shots of the little one, as well as Mum and Dad this evening

A baby Australian magpie in a wattle tree, golden light from the evening sun, glinting off its beak and eye as it looks toward the out-of-frame sunset
The baby Australian magpie from a slightly different angle that is less silhouetted, but has more of a glow on its baby bird fuzz
The baby Australian magpie's Dad looking at the camera past a tree branch toward the camera, intently, but not unkindly
The baby Australian magpie's Mum stands on a tree stump, looking into the distance with a thousand yard stare (she's taking the evening shift looking after the little one while Dad is off preening)
Public
Cheeseness

The little one is already flying so well. What a little champ (they did a very ungraceful dismount out of the tree first, but we'll pretend I didn't see that)

A baby Australian magpie lit by golden evening sun high in a tree, looking upward before leaping to another branch
The baby Australian magpie flying across a dimming sky, wings raised above its little body and stubby tail
Another shot of the baby Australian magpie flying lower in front of trees over more sand-coloured sky,beginning to raise its wings following a downbeat
The baby Australian magie perched on a rooftop, silhouetted against the evening sky
Public
Cheeseness

Morning stretchtimes

A baby Australian magpie on a leafless brach, stretching its wings back behind hits head
That same baby Australian magpie standing tall with head lowered to stretch its legs and back
The baby Australian magpie stretching its right wing
The baby Australian magpie stretching its left wing
Public
Cheeseness

Still enjoying the company of the little one immensely I also spotted some courting going on a couple of days ago (never seen that in a tree before) and spotted the nest being spruced up this evening. It'll be exciting to have two chicks again (it's been a few years!)

A baby Australian magpie sits on the end of dead branch in the evening sun
The baby Australian magpie looking past a branch and some leaves toward the camera
An adult female Australian magpie gathering feathers and soft debris for nest repairs
A pair of adult Australian magpies mating on a thin branch high in a tree
Public
Cheeseness

Got a better look at the baby butcherbirds this evening, who are now visibly butcherbird-ish (turns out there are two little beaks here, and a third off to the left that's not visible). Another yellow wattlebird family has a baby too. The baby magpie came up very close to me this evening, which was super nice. They were very hungry and spent a long time shouting at adults before Mum showed up with dinner

A baby blackbird seen through wattle leaves as it stands up in its nest above another sibling. It has a white breast and darker feathers on its head and wings. Baby fluff pokes out above its eyes
An adult wattlebird in a gum tree looks up at its fluffy baby on a higher branch, both lit by bright yellow early evening sunlight
A baby Australian magpie stands on short grass very close to the camera
The baby Australian magpie standing on a piece of playground equipment, mouth open as its mother leans in with a beak full of arachnid
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Cheeseness

Learning to forage with Dad

A baby Australian magpie and its Dad standing next to a piece of playground equipment on a sunny day. The baby has its beak open, begging for food
The baby Australian magpie in the shade, leaning down to look for noms among the woodchips of a playground
The baby Australian magpie and its Dad standing in short grass. Dad is listening for insects while the baby begs for food
The baby Australian magpie foraging for noms on the ground while Dad forages a short distance away
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Cheeseness

Practice makes perfect

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Cheeseness

I chose to not include the babies in this shot. Their bodies lie nearby after being moved off the road. If you drive a car, be careful and mindful of the power you wield. If you can't handle that, don't drive.

A pair of adult masked lapwings stand next to each other at the base of a small tree, next to a small cluster of yellow flowers
Public
Cheeseness

I didn't see my baby magpie friend this morning, but I did see this pair of baby yellow wattlebirds. I'm not sure if one is the one I've photographed before or whether there's a second family at the opposite end of the park with two chicks. They both seemed very interested in me.

A pair of yellow wattlebird chicks in a tree, looking down toward the camera
That same pair of yellow wattlebird chicks seen from a different angle. The highest one cranes its neck to look past some leaves toward the camera, while the lower one pulls its neck in so that it can see under the other's tail
Both yellow wattlebird chicks looking sidewise toward the camera
Public
Cheeseness

Saw the little one this evening, hanging out in a tree. Look at those little feets

A baby Australian magpie sitting on a branch
The silhouetted feet of a baby Australian magpie standing on a thin branch. The right claws clasp the branch tightly, while the other foot is spread open. Ragged ends on the tail feathers are visible - likely signs of wear and tear from less-accurate flying/landing
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Cheeseness

Couple more baby shots from this morning

A nest full of baby butcherbird seen through leaves. An eye is cealrly visible as one from behind pokes its ead around its sibling. The one in front's beak can be seen above a leave as it leans its head back. The third is out of view
A pair of baby yellow wattlebirds look down toward the camera from high in a tree, lit green by light filtering through leaves
Public
Cheeseness

Prince/ss among the flowers

A tiny baby Australian magpie sits in a gap between several capeweed plants, their yellow flowers, like the magpie's eyes, are mostly closed.
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Cheeseness

Still getting the hang of foraging

A baby Australian magpie stands on short grass in dappled shadow throws a small lump of dead grass away after realising that it isn't food
That same baby Australian magpie standing in shade looks over its should with head tilted to look at the ground behind it before turning around
The baby Australian magpie taking long strides to keep up with its Dad, who walks slowly alongside them
The baby Australian magpie stands slightly behind its Dad at the base of a tree, both seen from behind. The baby looks to the left, while the Dad faces slightly to the right
Public
Cheeseness

Had a scary moment this afternoon. I was taking photos of the butcherbird chicks being fed when I heard the baby magpie making distressed cries from across the park. I broke into a run, and other adult magpies flew in along the same trajectory as I went. When I got to where the calls were coming from, I couldn't see the little one at first. Then I spotted it, just hanging out on a branch. Nothing visibly wrong. The adults seemed relaxed when they arrived. False alarm I guess!

A butcherbird nest seen through wattle leaves. Three baby faces can be seen, one with an open beak (one is directly below, and the other is directly left). An adult 's tail and body can be made out between the leaves
A baby Australian magpie sitting in a tree in the afternoon sun, looking casually over its shoulder
Another photo of the baby Australian magpie, seen from behind as it looks toward the sun
5 adult Australian magpies sitting at what remains of the top of a storm-damaged tree. Two are on broken stumps of branches in the bottom right, and three are higher in a leafy bit
Public
Cheeseness

Spotted a pair of new lapwing chicks this morning, and it looks like there are four(!!!!) babies crammed into the blackbird nest. The baby yellow wattlebirds were watching with interest while I photographed my baby magpie friend, who's still learning from Dad

An adult masked lapwing stands watch over a tiny fluffy chick that is barely visible above the short grass
A butcherbird nest seen through wattle leaves. Four chicks are sitting upright in the morning sun. The one middle left preens itself
A baby yellow wattlebird high in a tree leans forward to look down at the camera
A baby Australian magpie walks beneath a tree, head tilted to look at the ground for noms, while its Dad looks out across the park
Public
Cheeseness

Enjoying the last of the sun

A baby Australian magpie sits on a mulch-covered garden bed, resting in what would have been a sunbeam had the sun not just gone behind a cloud
The baby Australian magpie now in a sunbeam again, looking over its shoulder, standing under a tiny fallen branch
The baby Australian magpie, out of sunbeam again, stretches its wings behind its head
The baby Autralian magpie, back in sunbeam down looks sunward, enjoying the last warmth from the sun before it sets
Public
Cheeseness

Baby butcherbirds left the nest \o/

A baby butcherbird sitting on a branch, seen in dappled shadow through a gap in brightly lit leaves
The same baby butcherbird seen from a lower, more side-on angle, the back half of its body obscured by the branch
Another baby butcherird seen from behindas it sits low on a thin branch. A briefly opened eye can be seen past the branch as it takes a break from napping
A baby butcherbird seen front-on sits on a branch with its neck down, giving it an impression of shoulders
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Cheeseness

Other babies are out doing baby stuff too. There's a dam I can see from the end of my street that has black swans. Their cygnets are so big!

A pair of black swans supervise a group of cygnets (three are in view, with at least another two obscured by grasses on the water's edge). Several coots wade nearby
A pair of tiny baby lapwings stumble through twigs and bark in the underbrush beneath unseen trees, dwarfed by grass behind them
A baby yellow wattlebird seen from behind, twisting around to peer at the camera
A baby Australian magpie stands on the edge of a a footpath near short grass, looking with concern toward something to the left of the camera
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Cheeseness

Didn't see my baby magpie friend today - I went for a walk a bit later than usual today, and with kids and dogs in the park, many of the birds make themselves scarce. Baby butcherbirds were venturing/napping farther afield though

A baby butcherbird sits on some twigs, sheltered by some weeds growing over the top
Another baby butcherbird sleeps nestled into a fork in a small branch
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Cheeseness

Accidentally posted yesterday's photos of the baby magpie without making them a reply mastodon.social/@Cheeseness/11

This morning I spotted that the baby butcherbirds have moved farther afield. Also spent some time with my baby magpie friend

An adult masked lapwing stands watch while a tiny fluffy baby pecks at the ground
A baby butcherbird sits low on a gum branch, looking at the camera. In the background and foreground, dried red sap marks tree trunks
A close up of a baby Australian magpie standing on some playground equipment, its head turned and tilted slightly downward as though deep in thought
A baby yellow wattlebird high in a tree peers down at the camera between two twigs
Cheeseness

Baby butcherbirds are starting to vocalise (I hadn't heard anything from them till this morning). Tiny chirps and grunts for now. Soon they'll be blasting their exuberant calls across the park.

A baby butcherbird high in a tree, looks toward where its parent sits in another, out-of-frame tree
That same baby butcherbord leaning sideways to look down at the camera
A baby Australian magpie flies toward an overgrown garden bed
A baby Australian magpie forages beneath the lower twisty branches of a corckscrew willow while its Dad takes a break nearby
Nov 13, 2024, 12:11 AM·Public·Web
3boosts·7favorites
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Cheeseness

I thought I was going to get a video of the baby butcherbirds being fed this morning, but I think I missed it by a few seconds.

I spent all my time shooting an adult magpie this morning and only got photos of the baby as it flew away to follow its Dad into someone's yard

A fluffy baby butcherbird high in a tree, looking directly at the camera
Another baby bitcherbird higher in the tree, looking off frame through leaves in the direction one of its parents went
A baby yellow wattlebird on a gum tree branch peeks past a tiny leaf that only obscures its beak
A baby Australian magpie flying low over woodchips
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Cheeseness

Hanging out post-breakfast

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Cheeseness

Missed out on a video again this morning, but I did get a photo of feeding time!

Three baby butcherbirds sitting near each other high in a tree, and silhouetted against the blue morning sky as they patiently wait for an adult to deliver their breakfast
One of the baby butcherbirds stands upright-ish on a branch, looking directly toward the camera
Another baby butcherbird stands on a thin branch, leaning forward before hopping to another nearby branch
An adult butcherbird standing on a thin twig leans forward into the gaping maw of a baby butcherbird who is flapping its wings hungrily
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Cheeseness

Some more baby bird photos from this evening and last night

A baby Australian stands on the metal understructure of a park bench, looking down at the leaf litter accumulated at its base. In the distance on the other side of the bench is the baby's Dad, taking a break from foraging to survey the park
A baby Australian magpie in front of a tree trunk, receiving some food from its Dad, who leans forward with his head tilted sideways to deliver a meal
The baby Australian magpie standing in front of the tree trunk, looking over its shoulder toward the camera
Three baby butcherbirds and an adult high in a tree. The nearest baby has turned its head away from the camera to look at the adult. The rightmost baby is seen side on, leaning forward a little. The lower body of the leftmost baby can be seen between gaps between the branches and trunk
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Cheeseness

Still haven't seen more than three baby butcherbirds at once since they left the nest. I think either I'd misidentified an adult, or one didn't make it.

Baby wattlebirds are very independent now, still making baby sounds, but foraging and moving around on their own. I haven't seen an adult feed them for a while now.

Baby magpie seems to be foraging less on their own now and relying more on being fed by Dad. A surprise, since it seemed like they were being weaned weeks ago.

A baby butcherbird on a thin branch, silhouetted against an overcast sky. It is sitting low on the branch with feathers puffed up.
A baby butcherbird looking out from a tree, down its beak, directly toward the camera
A baby magpie follows its father along the base of a white corrugated iron fence, beak open as it begs for breakfast
A baby yellow wattlebird on a thin branch looks upward over its shoulder to look for noms along a thicker branch
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Cheeseness

The three baby butcherbirds often sit together in a line. I've been hoping to get a nice photo, but so far, every time I'm lined up and focusing, an adult flies in, and disrupts things (breakfast is much more important than photos, though!)

My baby magpie friend has been hanging out more with their next eldest sibling, who doesn't like my company. I love seeing them together, but I hope they don't learn to be afraid of me

A trio of baby butcherbirds sitting on separate branches, more or less in a line. The furthest is in the centre of the frame, difficult to see behind foliage, blending into the background a little. The nearest is in the upper left, also behind leaves, but easier to see as it looks back over its shoulder toward the camera. The next-nearest is more clearly visible in the bottom right, facing away from the camera with beak open as it begs for food from an adult who has just flown into the tree
A pair of baby butcherbirds seen from below, next to one another on a high branch. They sit facing opposite directions, with their heads are turned to face each other, one toward and one away from the camera
A baby butcherbird seen from below in mid air as it hops along a branch, wings closed, and feet raised up
A baby Autralian magpie forages among some scraggly plants (might be stickyweed?) poking up through leaf litter near its older sibling, who has stopped foraging to look around. On the left is a piece of green playground equipment with a blue step
Public
Cheeseness

Hung out with my little friend briefly this afternoon. I also spotted a tail poking out of the nest - I didn't think it'd been abandoned, but I like seeing them up there, knowing that they're looking after their new egg

A baby Australian magpie standing on a large tree stump in the late afternoon sun
The baby Austrlaian magpie looking down at the stump
The baby Australian magpie standing on the left side of the stump, looking across the park
An Australian magpie nest high in a wattle tree, seen from below with some tail feathers visible poking over the top
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Cheeseness

Big ups and downs today. When I went for my afternoon walk, I found one of the baby butcherbirds on the ground (no photo). I'm absolutely devastated. Rationally, I know it's life and it happens, but in my heart, I can't help but think that if I hadn't skipped my morning walk, maybe something might have been different.

A little further along, I see my baby magpie friend, practicing carolling while preening - a lovely moment that fills my heart & I feel lucky to have witnessed

A baby Australian magpie standing on a thick branch, idly singing to itself
The baby Australian magpie on a lower, thinner branch preening its flight feathers with one wing raised
The baby Australia magpie with its head upside down as it scratches its neck
The baby Australian magpie back on the thicker branch, preparing to hop downward while it continues to sing
Public
Cheeseness

A little song 🎶

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Cheeseness

More learning to sing 🎶

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Cheeseness

Lonely baby butcherbird ( ;_; ) and baby magpie friend napping in the shade

A lone baby butcherbird high in a tree
A baby Australian magpie rests with its eyes closed under the shade of a piece of playground equipment
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Cheeseness

Still haven't seen more than one baby butcherbird since (not sure if it's the same one). Given how they used to stick together, I'm suspecting there's only one left

A lone baby butcherbird sitting on a thin branch, seen from behind, silhouetted, with dappled late afternoon light on surrounding branches and foliage
That same baby butcherbird seen from another angle through brightly lit out of focus leaves
The baby butcherbird seen from in front, this time unobscured, and more evenly lit. It is sitting with feathers fluffled a little, looking off to the left
The baby butcherbird seen from the same angle again, this time looking directly toward the camera
Public
Cheeseness

I also spent some lovely time with my baby magpie friend, who was begging for food from adults until I arrived, and then started foraging independently (while still making little begging calls)

A baby Australian magpie standing in the late afternoon sun next to a tree trunk, beak open as it begs for food from a nearby adult
The baby Australian magpie leaning down to inspect some leaf litter on a footpath. Golden late afternoon sun lights baby fluff from behind, and casts a glow over nearby grass
The baby Australian magpie standing on a low wooden rail, backlit by the golden setting sun
The baby Australian magpie standing still with head slightly cocked, listening intently to a tiny pile of dried grass that it's found an insect in
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Cheeseness

I saw a second baby butcherbird! I was worried that there was only one left, but a second flew in while I was photographing one sunbaking this morning, and both were practicing singing too. Very heartening after finding their dead sibling last week

A baby butcherbird sunbakes on a fallen branch, surrounded by brown, dying leaves, staring glassy-eyed toward the camera
A second baby butcherbird on a different branch, looking over its shoulder back toward the camera
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Cheeseness

It was raining today, so I didn't take my camera when I went out for my regular walk. I took shelter under a tree when the downpour picked up, and watched the baby magpie and its Dad forage. The baby was pressed up against a fence to keep out of the worst of it. Dad approached, and I backed further under the tree to give him room. The little one ran over, and the two of them got out of the rain. We hung out till it eased up, I said goodbye and left. When I was a few metres away, they flew off

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Cheeseness

Baby magpie friend and baby butcherbirds were out practicing their singing this morning

A baby Australian magpie standing on a garden bed overgrown with dead grass, with its head cocked as it looks toward the camera
The baby Australian magpie looking over its shoulder toward the camera, feathers slightly ruffled by the wind
A baby butcherbird flying in to land in a tree
Another baby butcherbird sitting higher in the same tree with its feathers puffed out, looking toward where its sibling has just landed
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Cheeseness

Here's the baby Australian magpie doing a little sing-song

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Cheeseness

And here's a baby butcherbird singing from a couple days ago (didn't get any good video today)

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Cheeseness

Morning baby bird times

A baby butcherbird sitting on a thin branch leans forward to look down at the camera
Another baby butcherbird sitting on the stump of a branch begs for food from an adult who has just lept off, sideways in mid air as it flaps to bank away around the tree
A baby Australian magpie stands on one leg in a mulched garden bed, looking over its shoulder as it watches an out-of-frame moth fly by
The baby Australian magpie standing in the same spot, singing to itself
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Cheeseness

It's been raining lately, so I haven't taken my camera out. The evening before last, I heard hungry baby magpie calls coming from the nest, so the new chick has hatched! It sounded very young. Based on observations of adults bringing food to the nest, I'm guessing it hatched early last week. Very excited to meet them!

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nick

@Cheeseness I love it when they're that age and they find some bug and stare at it and squawk, like they're begging it to jump into their beak ...

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Cheeseness

@nickzoic My favourite is when they're a little younger and still do the "hungry wings" when they've found food themselves

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