Hello! I am new to this forum, I joined because I have seen a white backed magpie around Faulconbridge Public school on two separate occassions. I have never seen one in this area before and I was wondering if anyone else has encountered any in the vicinity lately. I am wondering why this fella is here?
Hello and welcome,
I don't recall ever seeing a white-backed in the mountains, I thought it was too far north anyway. Be nice to get a photo but I presume you haven't got one? So you're definitely sure it was white-backed (check link)?
http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=323&pg=2
I reckon it's a normal Australian Magpie, male. They have white on the back and anyone can unknowingly assume it's a white-backed.
I actually photographed one at Windsor, which appeared to have more white than normal, but I just assumed all ours are the same race in the Sydney region.
Vagrants do occur, black-backed birds have been reported in Melbourne on occasion.