Ten Years Of Photographing Nesting Black-billed Magpies At The Same Nest

Black-billed Magpie adult flying toward nest with nesting material – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

A little history about this nest:

The first time I photographed nesting Black-billed Magpies was on March 11, 2010. Had I not been observant to the birds around me on Antelope Island that day I might have missed out on some great opportunities with these magpies and this particular nest.

That morning I noticed a Black-billed Magpie in flight and it appeared to have something in its bill. Then I saw it land on a greasewood and disappear inside the branches. I wondered about it for a few seconds then saw the bird leave the greasewood and it didn’t look at all like it had anything in its bill. Then I saw another magpie fly into the greasewood with a small twig in its bill.

After carefully getting closer I was able to verify that my observations were correct, the magpies were constructing a nest in the greasewood. If I had not been paying attention to the first magpie’s activity and behavior I may have missed out on many opportunities to photograph these birds and their nesting behaviors over the next decade.

Adult Black-billed Magpie lifting off from a bush with nesting material – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

For ten years I have watched and photographed Black-billed Magpies nesting in the same greasewood. There have been a few years where they worked on this nest early in the season but then appeared to have actually nested somewhere else. I’ve never been fortunate enough to see their fledglings leave the nest but I have been able to photograph juvenile magpies nearby so I believe I may have photographed the young that were hatched in this nest.

By keeping a respectful distance, using a long lens and utilizing a vehicle as a mobile blind it is possible to photograph Black-billed Magpies building their nests without disrupting the process or negatively impacting their natural behavior.

Black-billed Magpie about to land with nesting materials – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

Around February these striking black and white magpies with with their shimmering green, blue and purple iridescent wing and tail feathers start to do nest building and maintenance to this nest by bringing in twigs and carefully placing them where the birds think they are needed. During the late winter the greasewood is bare, bright and not terribly attractive.

Black-billed Magpie with nesting material close up – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

I try to photograph the Black-billed Magpies in flight with the nesting materials prior to landing on the greasewood because it is unattractive. Photographing the magpies in flight is challenging because their flight pattern isn’t always predictable and their black and white plumage is always tough when it comes to exposure settings.

Also, finding the right angle of light is important when it comes to being able to photograph the purple, green and blue iridescent tail and wing feathers.

Black-billed Magpie nest construction and/or maintenance takes approximately 40-50 days which has allowed me time to photograph these interesting, loud and fun birds over the years.

Adult Black-billed Magpie fluttering its wings on its nest – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

I wonder how many chicks have fledged from this nest. I wonder if the birds I am seeing nesting there now are the same adults or perhaps chicks that fledged from it. I also wonder how many more years this nest will be used. I can’t help but wonder.

I am more than thrilled to once again observe and photograph nesting Black-billed Magpies using the same greasewood where I first photographed them almost ten years ago. They have brought me so much joy.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.

Ethics on photographing nesting birds:

• Do not approach too closely
• If the birds show any sign of distress, back away
• Don’t trim leaves, twigs or branches to get a clearer shot, you may inadvertently attract predators or cause the eggs/chicks to over heat
• Follow local, state and federal guidelines concerning nesting birds
• Don’t harass the birds to get an action shot
• Don’t stay a long time with nesting birds or chicks, that disrupts their normal behavior
• Always remember that your scent may draw predators to the area of nesting birds or birds with chicks.

For more information on the ethics of photographing nesting birds or chicks check out the Principles of Birding Ethics published by the American Birding Association.