1611_0520 Too Many Magpies
The problem with magpies is they'll walk all over you. Literally. Now, they do catch ticks and other annoying pests that a bison can't reach on his own. So they can be useful. In fact, it's hard to live without them... but one's too many.
Usually Plains Bison are very tolerant when a Black-billed Magpie hitches a ride, and usually the magpies stay well back. This bison finally shook the magpie off his head, and the bird flapped away to find a new host.
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2016 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
1611_0520 Too Many Magpies
The problem with magpies is they'll walk all over you. Literally. Now, they do catch ticks and other annoying pests that a bison can't reach on his own. So they can be useful. In fact, it's hard to live without them... but one's too many.
Usually Plains Bison are very tolerant when a Black-billed Magpie hitches a ride, and usually the magpies stay well back. This bison finally shook the magpie off his head, and the bird flapped away to find a new host.
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2016 James R. Page - all rights reserved.