Baby, come back!

This isn't either of my usual Magpies who visit my garden these day, although he used to be....

During the time I have been feeding the magpies, I have discovered a couple of things about them.

Magpies are extremely caring and devoted parents.

and...

Magpies are very territorial birds.

When this little guy was a baby, he was one of three siblings who visited most days, along with their parents. I called this baby "Squawker", as he made the most noise out of all the baby maggies.

But they all grew, and the adults decided that it was time for the young ones to leave the nest, in search of their own territories.

Two of the young ones took the hint, this little guy wanted to stay. Mum and dad were not impressed and he has been swooped on by his own father! But those are the ways of nature....

Every now and then, Squawker returns for a quick visit. You can see by the way he is holding his head that he is on the alert for being swooped on!

He knows his place....