240821 magpies, late Aug short update

Update glimpses from the magpies.
August is a time when it gets harder to get close to the birds.
The magpie chicks are moving into adulthood, maybe not growing so much, but still develop necessary and important skills.
They are still very much present in the garden.
The parents follow their activities, but more from a distance now.
No feeding from the parents any more.
At this time it can be hard to keep adults from youngsters, the adults growing new feathers.
We are a little surprised they all still spend so much time in our garden.

[@mudanzan]

Very calming as usual. Thank you!

[@picapicalife]

Thank you for watching.
Yes, they are doing fine and as usual.

[@Silviareginadedeus]

🎉🎉😮

[@picapicalife]

Thank you for watching.

[@user-uy7qw2nx5o]

They certainly seem happy and I hope they do stay and entertain you.
Here the youngsters have always stayed, along with the adults and, more often than not, other youngsters from around about. Sometimes, as in this year, they have been joined by youngsters from previous years too, it is almost impossible to keep tabs on who's who. They aren't chased away until the following breeding seasons so we always have lots going on to keep us amused.

[@picapicalife]

Thank you.
Yes, we also hope the will stay around, but we never know for sure.
Last year the chicks left the area in late fall.
But the preparation of the breeding season might start much earlier than most people think.
We have observed magpies deciding where to nest already during the summer before, starting to build some at winter time.
We also have this 'gang' of youngsters from both 'our' territory and from an outside territory. At least two chicks have joined this area.
The adults stay around and of course we hope this means they are thinking our way...

[@jrgenblitzner4832]

What is the tail pulling about? Just playing?

[@picapicalife]

Tail pulling seems to be something very important to magpies.
The temptation seems to be irresistable at times.
It can be highly offensive or very loving, depending on the circumstances.
Siblings pull tails in ordinary sibling fights, quarrels or teasing.
Both chicks and adults pull tails on other birds or species.
This can be just playfulness or it can be offensive, depending on whether they are regarded as just neighbors or enemies.
Neighbor tail pulling is done by chicks, enemy tail pulling is mostly done by the adults.
Couples also do pull tails, but this is something completely different. This is done very carefully and in affection and love.