Baby Magpies and nictitating membranes

Our Magpies this year have two babies which means feeding is more hectic. Mom has some grey on her neck and Dad has a pure white neck. The playful babies are pale grey and have bright pink mouths and when Mom and Dad are feeding them the nictitating membranes are visible. Translucent nictitating membranes or third eyelids are seen in birds, reptiles, some mammals and sharks. Baby Magpie time in Canberra can scare people in that the parents "swoop" people, but get to know them better and they are beautiful creatures. The insert in this picture shows the same baby Magpie.