Black-backed Magpies

The Australian Magpie has three recognised races - the White-backed, the Black-backed and the Western.

Here in Murray Bridge the common one is the White-backed Magpie.

Australian Magpie (White-backed race)

From time to time I do see a Black-backed Magpie near our home. Yesterday I saw a single bird of this race just up the road from our home, perhaps about 400 metres away. This is note worthy because it is about the furthest west I’ve seen this race here in South Australia. I must keep a sharp eye out and check all those magpies that visit our garden.

Related articles:

• Australian Magpies - a more detailed discussion on the various races of this species, including notes on distribution.