There are few birds more handsome than those of the crow family. The magpie is particularly striking, with the contrast between ‘black’ and white making it one of the most recognisable of all British birds. It is perhaps only when you find yourself with a tame magpie, such as this one which was stealing food in Edinburgh Zoo, that you realise just how much colour there can be in a ‘black’ feather.
A striking magpie which is used to people gives an opportunity for camera
Starlings in the flamingo pen at Edinburgh Zoo
Unfortunately for it, the magpie has a reputation as a egg thief that is probably well deserved; I have seen one catch a fully grown young starling that didn’t have the sense to avoid it. The starling squealed desperately for its mum; immediately the magpie was surrounded by a screaming mob of starlings intent on rescuing the youngster. Still, life is tough as a young bird, and all the noise succeeded in doing was attracting a crow that came and chased off the magpie; the starling’s relief was very short-lived as the crow was much more efficient at the killing game.