Just about anyone who has been out and about even casually observing birds will have come across the Australian Magpie. (We have two variations in Australia, a White-backed, and a Black-backed) In my southern location the White-backed in domicile.

Maggie won “Bird of the Year” in 2017, and with good reason. They have been able to adapt to the human condition, and thrive. Many streets and parks will have a family, and at present in our street one is sitting on eggs.

And casually observing will inevitably come across a Willie Wagtail that takes exception to the Magpie’s presence and a battle royale will begin. The brave little Wagtail seems intent with constant chittering and bumping into the Maggie to move it on. And no doubt with good reason. Most Wagtail nests are in the open, or at least in minimal leaf protection and the young make a fine meal for Maggie to feed to her young.

We were walking in a local orchard and Willie came out to see what we were doing. I know this pair from previous years and no doubt they have a nest or are planning to begin soon.

Willie posed well for me on a single garden stake, and I moved in a little closer for a better shot.
At the same time four sets of large wings flashed between me and the garden stake.
The local Magpie Family dropped down on the grass in front of me. The female and two younger ones, (one I take it to be from last year’s crop), began to feed in the grass, while the male forced WIllie from its pedestal and sat surveying the area.

Of course it doesn’t take your average Wagtail too long to regain its composure, and immediately it began to fly at the back of the the Magpie, eventually grabbing tiny claws full of feathers and sliding down it’s back.

I’m sure Magpies aren’t all that fussed by the harassment, they just take it as the cost of doing business.
In the end the larger bird dropped to the ground to join the family, and Willie took its rightful place back on the garden stake.
Such are the daily conflicts.