Magpie v Fox

[seadogg]

This morning at 5.30am we were wakened by a furious magpie chatter. Looking out of the window we saw a magpie harrying a fox who offered no resistant but allowed himself to be chased off the scene. The maggie was trying to nip him with its beak as he retreated.
Why didn't the fox grab the magpie and get a free meal? Was the fox afraid of incurring any injury? Has anyone else seen this sort of thing?

[carmalee]

never seen that sea dog but have seen similar incidents between birds and mammals overseas - the fox being a hunter has to weigh up very carefully it's options - is the meal worth risking an injury? obviously in this case no -

[seadogg]

Thanks Carmalee, more of less what I thought. Must take my terrier out but look forward to answering any comments later

[redman41]

Magpies and other Corvids will have a go at just about anything. They ( A Pair ) used to have a Love Hate relationship with my Cat, my Cat could have had them for Breakfat if he wanted to.

[Chaffinch]

One of the funniest things I've ever seen one of my Jacks do, was to catch a Carrion Crow, it gave her such a pecking and made such a noise, she let it go and ran like mad back to me. She was only a puppy at the time, but has never gone near any corvids since!

[seadogg]

Thanks redman41 and chaffinch. Good point about the noise. It puts the wind up humans if they are not expecting it.. The foxes have a den in a very private bit of woodland by our garden and I suppose the short nights mean they haven't finished their rounds by dawn.