HECKLE & JECKLE IN MY BACKYARD

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Packet of 8 Hot Dogs-$2.70

I love to share pictures of the amazing wildlife in Costa Rica.  At times, living here feels like a scene in a Disney movie: cute birds flying overhead, their tweets soaking the morning air with a renewing freshness. 

But this bird —this beautiful bird— is a real S.O.B.  His personality is aggressive, surly, and brazen. I want to smack that feather right off his head. And I would if I didn’t fear losing an eyeball.

He swoops down every morning and attacks my dog. He also shows up at restaurants, stealing food right off my fork and tearing sugar packets open with the ferocity of the Hulk. He’s not only a jerk but a show off as well.

He’s a White-throated Magpie-jay. (Coincidently, Heckle and Jeckle were magpies.) He’s on my watch-list. I always thought my first rumble in the jungle would be with a jaguar or venomous snake. Not with a bird that looks like he’s wearing a French military hat.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:39-04:00 June 30th, 2011|Categories: Nature|Tags: |6 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

6 Comments

  1. Chris May 30, 2013 at 12:17 am - Reply

    First off you have a great blog! I just came across it tonight after finding your book on another blog about Tamarindo & have enjoyed reading through your experiences on here as my wife is laughing at your book.

    I noticed you mentioned the bird in this post was attacking your dog.. and in previous/future posts you have talked all the other wildlife that frequents your yard… monkeys caotie, etc… do these animals not mind the dog?

    I am asking because we are moving to Costa Rica in October and have 2 dogs that we figured would scare away any signs of wildlife we could possibly see. I hope that is not the case, I think it would be much more enjoyable to watch the moneys case the dogs off.

    • admin June 22, 2013 at 7:46 am - Reply

      The magpies are a funny bunch. They are the only ones that look annoyed when are around their turf. I’ve even seen them swoop down at the cats. But they don’t attack. But if you hold out food, they will definitely grab it out of your hands. So I think your dogs are safe, unless they are going to hold a saltine cracker up in the air.

  2. WayneH November 20, 2012 at 11:00 am - Reply

    We have a similar bird here in Colorado, called a “Camp Robber.” They swoop down on your campsite and rip into your food. They are Canadian Jays. I thought Canadians were supposed to be polite.

    • admin November 23, 2012 at 3:06 pm - Reply

      LOL… This type of Mag Pie is so beautiful, but I have a love/hate relationship with them. I like to look at them from my terrace, but really get annoyed when they swoop down at me!

  3. Margie July 1, 2011 at 4:15 pm - Reply

    Funny post! Do you think he follows you to the restaurant or does he just make his rounds?

    • admin July 1, 2011 at 7:37 pm - Reply

      I see these guys everywhere. My husband loves them. Thinks it is neat how aggressive they are. Look at how close that picture was taken. The bird was sitting behind me, just about the time he was going to grab the food off my fork.

      It’s funny how in Costa Rica nature plays such a huge part in your daily activities. You wake up with the sound of howler monkeys, you get dive bombed by a crazy blue bird, and then get to enjoy the incredible beaches. It’s much better than being stuck in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike.

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