Animal photography: Butcher bird on a wire

Images taken from just outside the laundry door of a butcher bird coming around for a feed.

For generations, the local magpies have been coming around for a bit of feed of high grade mince.

And it wasn't long before other birds starting catching on and getting in on the action.

This butcher bird was patiently awaiting his turn, sitting on the wire fence in June 2016. The magpies are first cabs off the rank, as they will literally walk in the laundry door to get first dibs on the food.

While many experts are against feeding the magpies and other native birds, we have found it a mutually beneficial act. We feed them occassionally, and have therefore gained their undying trust. They never ever attack during nesting season (as magpies are known to do) and they have even brought around a young one with an injured leg which we were able to assist.

The birds still spend their days foraging for food in the backyard ... so what's wrong with a little treat every now and again?

I'm sure someone will have a perfectly valid reason why we shouldn't do it, however.

Images taken with Nikon D800
Nikkor 200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6 telephoto lens
ISO 400 ƒ/5.6 at 1/80 sec.

To see more of my photography, come visit me at @atnicholson