Just weeks after fires here on the mid north coast NSW, this magpie turned up with bald head (some fluff) and mottled brown/white feathers where black should be. Seems not young fledgeling,and ccarrols at times. Naturally it's presence upset the local -pies territory, so on guard.
Do birds go grey from shock??
Ant66
Maybe this one suffered some feather loss or damage due to the fires, and what you are seeing is re-growth? Does it seem to be normal in it's behaviour and feeding?
Lets hope all goes well for the Maggie.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
His behaviour seems fairly normal. The problem for him is his intrusion upon the local pair here. When chased off his flight is swift and accurate. There were reports of birds being burnt in mid flight during escape from the fires here pre Xmass and following, reports of fire front at 120 klms/hr. We figure a refugee eh?
Seems odd he has not regrown head feathering if wing ones regrown since.