BajaNomad

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay

BMG - 2-3-2009 at 01:11 PM

We had our tamale feed yesterday afternoon. Linguine and 2 others had the Baby Jesus' in their piece of rosca on Dia de Reyes so we all hosted the dinner. We were supposed to have the party at our place but if you've seen the Fidepaz Hospital thread you know that Ling has been incapacitated for a while.

Anyway, just wanted to post some pictures of a bird we spotted in a nearby tree while chowing down. There were 2 of them but only snapped photos of 1. Their tail feathers are really long and being boisterous, they drew our attention right away.

They are Black-Throated Magpie-Jays. Apparently fairly common on the mainland but not in Baja. From the little bit of research I did to identify them, it sounds like they are probably escapees. Good for them!







DENNIS - 2-3-2009 at 01:29 PM

There were two, then three of them living around La Jolla beach camp here for quite a while. Havn't heard if they've gone south but, I'll ask around.
Just feed them anything and they're yours.

Santiago - 2-3-2009 at 01:30 PM

We saw numerous in Mazatlan last month - didn't know they were in Baja.

Woooosh - 2-3-2009 at 02:13 PM

I've got one in a big cage. He's loud like all magpies.

They are considered a pest up north and but often passed off as a "bird of paradise" at pet shops down here.

[Edited on 2-4-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 2-4-2009 by Woooosh]

fandango - 2-3-2009 at 07:11 PM

there were at least 4 magpies in punta banda last year.
a friend of mine who lives there was telling me about seeing an eagle and that the magpies were gone (lunch).
i saw 2 magpies the next day. they are fantastic!!!!

BajaGringo - 2-3-2009 at 07:17 PM

Great photos and post - thanks for sharing them...

:yes::yes::yes:

castaway$ - 2-3-2009 at 07:26 PM

Cool pics and Bajagringo you avatar doesn't scare me anymore!

BajaGringo - 2-3-2009 at 07:28 PM

That's two thumbs up and one thumb down...

BigWooo - 2-3-2009 at 07:43 PM

Great Picture,

In Nicaragua we see it's cousin, the White Throated Magpie Jay. They're everywhere. Very noisy especially in groups of 5 or 6. When riding a bicycle they fly beside us squaking away, then fly ahead to wait and then start the whole process over again. They're pretty cool birds.

BMG - 2-3-2009 at 09:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I've got one in a big cage. He's loud like all magpies.

They are considered a pest up north and but often passed off as a "bird of paradise" at pet shops down here.

That may explain why they are called 'escapees' in Baja. Wonder if they are breeding here?

They have pretty impressive tails.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
That's two thumbs up and one thumb down...

I miss the bug-eyes.

Woooosh - 2-4-2009 at 09:42 AM

I've had mine for three years- he's great. I like the loud sounds actually (my four Kestrels- not so much...)

magpie.JPG - 39kB

Iflyfish - 2-4-2009 at 10:04 AM

Great pics, what a cool bird.

Iflyfish

BigWooo - 2-4-2009 at 11:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I've had mine for three years- he's great.


Are they smart like parrots and interact with you, or is it just something cool to have around?

Woooosh - 2-4-2009 at 11:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BigWooo
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I've had mine for three years- he's great.


Are they smart like parrots and interact with you, or is it just something cool to have around?


The birds all talk among themselves- I try not to get involved. My Bird-spanish isn't that great yet. The guy we got him from had him uncaged on a leg leash hanging out on his shoulder- so I guess you get out of them what you time you put into them. And yes- we knew it wasn't a bird of paradise when we bought him.

(My parrots and "big blue" all squak together- only the c-ckatoos whistle anything you can respond and interact back to.) Sunsets are a virtual symphony of bird songs though- very cool. When we have the outside music on- it's like a jamfest.

[Edited on 2-4-2009 by Woooosh]

DENNIS - 2-4-2009 at 12:34 PM

Woooosh

Super Nomad




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Posts: 1000
Registered: 1-27-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline


Whooosh...You just hit a grand. Another star is born.

Skipjack Joe - 2-4-2009 at 03:44 PM

One of my favorite memories of my early travels in baja were the birds we saw in people's yards.

I believe it was in Mulege. We strolled along the dirt streets of central Mulege and were surprised by all the bird songs coming from everywhere. I'd stand on tiptoe and look into someone's courtyard and it seemed as though every one had cages with canaries in them. And the birds seemed to be more content than our American pets. I think the climate just suited them better.

I concluded about baja's people: "They may be poor but they're blessed in many other ways".

Woooosh - 2-4-2009 at 04:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Woooosh

Super Nomad




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
who me? :saint::saint::saint:



Posts: 1000
Registered: 1-27-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline


Whooosh...You just hit a grand. Another star is born.


Thanks. I'll flush to that! (but seriously- thanks)

[Edited on 2-5-2009 by Woooosh]

JESSE - 2-4-2009 at 06:09 PM

I have 3 of them living in a big Tamarind tree in my house.

BMG - 2-4-2009 at 06:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
I have 3 of them living in a big Tamarind tree in my house.
We saw them close to your restaurant. If you live close by, probably the same birds but only saw 2.

JESSE - 2-4-2009 at 08:19 PM

Yep, their the same, there are 3, loud and tempered birds, even the cats fear them.

Paulina - 2-4-2009 at 08:57 PM

They are great mice catchers too. We've seen the Campo La Jolla bird family fly by our house many times with fresh dinner.

Woooosh - 2-4-2009 at 10:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
One of my favorite memories of my early travels in baja were the birds we saw in people's yards.

I believe it was in Mulege. We strolled along the dirt streets of central Mulege and were surprised by all the bird songs coming from everywhere. I'd stand on tiptoe and look into someone's courtyard and it seemed as though every one had cages with canaries in them. And the birds seemed to be more content than our American pets. I think the climate just suited them better.

I concluded about baja's people: "They may be poor but they're blessed in many other ways".


I think the reason mexican yard birds in cages do so well is that the Mexican dogs have eaten most of the outdoor cats. My love of birds is directly correlated to the amount of time I have to feed and clean up after them. Since my nephew has that job- I'm good.

The small, bright mexican bird cages are cheap wall art and bring life and sound to a small space.

020507-dump 049small.JPG - 41kB

Sallysouth - 2-5-2009 at 08:31 PM

Are there birds in those lovely cages?The walls look far too clean...:spingrin:

DENNIS - 2-5-2009 at 08:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Are there birds in those lovely cages?The walls look far too clean...:spingrin:


I think he forgot to tell the nephew about the sack of bird food in the garage.

Skipjack Joe - 2-6-2009 at 09:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
The small, bright mexican bird cages are cheap wall art and bring life and sound to a small space.


I've found this to be true in all of my travels in latin america. As I strolled through the streets of Antigua, Guatemala, I could hear song birds from everyone's courtyard. The same was true in Colombia and perhaps a bit less in Peru.

After adding this jay to my bird list in Guatemala I was surprised to meet a boy of about 8 with a jay on his shoulder and it's leg tethered via a string to his hand. I just think Latinos enjoy their birds more than we do.

Woooosh - 2-6-2009 at 11:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Are there birds in those lovely cages?The walls look far too clean...:spingrin:


I think he forgot to tell the nephew about the sack of bird food in the garage.


good one. And that would be five sacks of different types of bird food from the local granero (the one with all the bullet holes, candles and black wreaths still out front). You don't want to know what the falcons eat.

Yes there are birds in those cages, but not the messiest ones. We only have "outdoor birds". The nephew has to take the cages down off the nails and wash the walls with a hose and wet broom every few weeks. We also selectively repaint- a lot. I've got 5 gallon paint pails of every color we use. I didn't say I was easy to work for... :P

If you like the look and bright colors of Mexican houses- pick up a great photo book called "Mexicolor."

The birds aren't as much trouble as these bad boys. 11 lab puppies- the male here with his five sons. 7 weks old today. I think the one on the right has pee-pee envy.
:lol:


[Edited on 2-6-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 2-6-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 2-6-2009 by Woooosh]

videos7weeks009croppeds.jpg - 40kB