Teeny tiny little magpie

[Saffronica]

Hello all

This morning I saw a magpie of about half normal size - probably blackbird size or possibly a bit smaller. It looked like a full adult in all other respects, but was with two 'proper' magpies so I know I am not mistaken about how big he was. Does anyone know if this is some subspecies I haven't encountered before (living in Northern Derbyshire) or more likely to be a one-off mutation that managed to survive to adulthood?

Any info anyone has would be great, my boyfriend and I were somewhat perplexed by his appearance and would like to know exactly what we're looking at when we go to look for him again this evening.

Thanks!

[chickenzown]

Pied Wagtail?

[John the Ranger]

Ring Ouzel possibly...they turn up in March/April time.

[ron1863]

I would think it would be a Pied Wagtail as it has similar colouration

[Jason Green]

PW. I sometimes see magpies on house roofs, hoping it's a PW - then see it's just a maggie!!

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by Saffronica

Hello all

This morning I saw a magpie of about half normal size - probably blackbird size or possibly a bit smaller. It looked like a full adult in all other respects, but was with two 'proper' magpies so I know I am not mistaken about how big he was. Does anyone know if this is some subspecies I haven't encountered before (living in Northern Derbyshire) or more likely to be a one-off mutation that managed to survive to adulthood?

Any info anyone has would be great, my boyfriend and I were somewhat perplexed by his appearance and would like to know exactly what we're looking at when we go to look for him again this evening.

Thanks!

I remembered reading something about a very small Magpie somewhere before on this site, I've managed to track down the thread
A Brimstone and a Magpie

It's an interesting sighting, of all the hundreds of Magpies I've seen I've never noticed any unusual birds like yours.
Guy

[Jason Green]

Another link on the thread Guy's highlighted, to a similar story, with a photo... Merve the Magpie?

Please get a photo, Saf!

[Saffronica]

I'm sorry I left it so late to reply!

I can confirm that it is definitely not a Pied Wagtail, this little magpie was as big as a lady blackbird but with magpie markings.

I wouldn't have given it a second thought but because I saw two normal magpies and the miniature magpie sat next to them, I did a double take!

I'll see if the magpies are back tomorrow and try to take a picture of it.

[Jason Green]

I will look forward to it

[Saffronica]

It looks EXACTLY like Merve the magpie! Fantastic! The characteristics of the other magpie also sounds familiar as the little magpie seemed happy with the other two normal sized magpies.

Does anyone have any information as to why they are small? Are they common? What sightings have there been in the country?