Tattered Tail

This magpie has been coming around our bird feeder lately. Look at that poor thing's tail! It looks like someone put it through a blender. I think it must be fighting with other birds over territory or something like that -- maybe mating? Some birds look straggly when they're molting, but those don't look like new feathers to me. Not that I am any kind of an expert.

Here's a better picture of the whole bird.

According to Google's AI Overview search feature, "A tattered or damaged magpie tail can be an indicator of several things, including sexual maturity, potential mating success, and even social status within the flock. Magpies, especially hens during breeding season, may show tail damage as part of their reproductive behavior or due to competition for resources."

Now, that's from AI, so who knows if it's true, but it sounds credible and I can't be bothered to dig further. Some journalist I am.

Speaking of birds, and their distant ancestors, remember the Dinosaur Easter book? Well, I was covering new books yesterday for our Lower School library, and look what crossed my desk:

Apparently there's a whole line of these books featuring the dinosaurs on various holidays or doing various things -- like, in this case, watering a tree, picking up litter and recycling. Oh, the irony of having extinct creatures celebrating Earth Day!

Mornings have been really cold here the last few days. Lows have been in the low 40s (F) and we've even put the heat back on for a quick blast while we're getting ready for work (and without clothes in the bathroom). I hate running the heat at this time of year, compared to Dave, who will crank it up at the slightest chilly draft. But even I see the benefit at the moment.