We have loads of Magpies, Pigoens and Parakeets in our gardens in south London but this year we have at least 3 birds that look like a Pigeon/Magpie cross. Does anybody know if thats possible. They have a pigoen shape but they're black with white magpie markings on their wings and tail, or is this just a different type of pigeon ?
Magpies and pigeons are not closely related and could not hybridise - but feral pigeons do come in many different plumage patterns, including black with white bits... Another possibility is that they are fledgling Magpies which have not yet grown their long tails so have a more pigeon-like outline. Look at their legs and feet - reddish-pink for pigeons, black for Magpies.
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We had a bird in our back garden yesterday that looked very much like a pigeon/maple Cross.. no way was it a final pigeon ut was far to big