ChatterBank2 mins ago
Why are magpies so cruel?
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I've just had an upsetting morning! I've been watching a nesting pair of blackbirds for weeks now - building the nest, the male guarding its territory etc- until this morning when I had to rescue a very young baby from a magpie which had taken it from the nest and was viciously pecking at it. Why do magpies do this? The same thing happened next door last year. I rang my vet who said to bring it down but he said it was too badly hurt and too young to survive and the kindest thing to do was to put it to sleep. I dont know if there are any other babies in the nest as its deep in a hedge and I havent disturbed it. I know nature can be cruel but those two blackbirds had worked so hard and the mother blackbird must wonder what has happened to her baby. It's really spoiled my day!
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.They do, linedancer - most corvids (crows n magpies etc) are opportunistic and will eat anything that doesn't bite them back, especially carrion. Nature is not there to appease our finer feelings - I agree the killing is nasty to watch - I can't even watch the anglers on TV holding fish out of water - but all you can do is choose not to look. magpie is just being a really good magpie, to the best of it's magpie upbringing.
I know animals kill other young and I never watch wildlife programmes because I find it too upsetting to watch, but I never put birds in the same category! I must be too easily upset 'cause all you people who've who've answered me dont think it anything out of the ordinary. I just wish there was something I could do to save any others that might be in there in case the magpie comes back for seconds! The female blackbird has gone into the hedge as I'm typing this.Thanks everyone!
and that cute fluffy squirrel will eat small birds if it can get them too... if it's any consolation the blackbird will raise more than one brood each year.... one solution is to give the magpie a softer option....put out a bowl of dogfood they love it and as corvids are pretty intelligent they will realise there is no need to hunt with protein on a plate nearby
Linedancer if it's any consolation to you I have broken up a punch-up just this morning between two blackbirds protecting their nest and a magpie. The magpie was grabbing the female blackbird and a whole load of feathers went flying, the male bb was attacking the magpie and they were making a helluva racket. I broke it up and the magpie flew off and the blackbirds are still very upset and giving loud warning calls to anything that comes near. Babies safe for now but no doubt Mr M will be back.
I'm glad the blackbirds do win sometimes, Ladybirder. It does help to know that the blackbird will have another chance at raising another brood,Rowanwitch, and I'll also try putting out some dog food. Have to go now as I'm collecting for the RSPCA this afternoon outside Tesco-its RSPCA week this week. Thanks again everyone!
At the end of the day, nature left alone sorts itself out. The strongest survive and the weekend don't. It's only man who disrupts nature and it's best left alone. I hate to see the sparrowhawks take the birds in my garden, but they have to eat to and feed their chicks. Having sparrowhawks visit my garden indicates that my garden has a plentiful supply of birds for their food. We can't pick and choose which birds visit us and if you want a garden full of birds then you have to expect the predators as well.
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