Australian Magpie (black back)

Description:

A nearly all black back unlike those in Victoria which have clear white. About 330mm long.

Habitat:

Found over most of Australia this one was working a farming fence-line near a tiny country town. Open farm land near national parks.

Notes:

The Australian magpie (Cracticidae) was first thought to be three separate species but hybridisation near range boundaries has proved one species with at least nine sub-species from either 'black backs' and 'white backs'. These birds are notable for an extraordinary song and the Latin name tibicen means "flute-player" or "piper". Here's a spotting of the 'white back' http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/111...