Menacing Magpie for hire!
Sorry, I couldn't resist that title, however, I think we have a menacing magpie that hangs around the garden.
It could be the magpie is being a menace, or, as we'd expect at this time of year, its being protective to its fledgling family, whatever, it's nature and it's provided interesting videos captured on the gardencam.
Que Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds" theme....
Oh, and it has been watching me closely when I'm in the garden.....
Magpie mobs a crow
A magpie tries to get one over a carrion crow that was feeding in our garden. Watch the magpie on the right, walk behind the apple tree and then make the attack. Not once, but it tries again, from a different angle.
https://youtu.be/-gzzkvZQMGQ
Magpie challenges a cat
One of our regular magpies decides to challenge a cat!
https://youtu.be/GO7XuR5gEck
Magpie chases off squirrel!
A magpie decides it doesn't like a squirrel feeding in our garden so it decides to challenge and chase off the squirrel. The squirrel does try to hold its own...
https://youtu.be/1ux7XJyVpV4
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
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Regards, Hazel
Unknown said:LOL Mike, that Maggie is quite territorial, not allowing anything to share its garden !
Very territorial, a recent download of the gardencam shows no cats, which is very unusual!
Ok, a few more menacing magpie vids. I've come to the conclusion, the magpie is actually defending its young, because all too often, there is another, sometimes two others, in the garden around the time of these event.
Whatever, it still makes for interesting viewing of nature going about its business.
While feeding in the apple tree on the left, a magpie flies in and lands between the two apple trees, when the squirrel decides to set upon the magpie. There is history between the visiting squirrels (possibly this years young) and magpies (who are looking after their young), so sit and watch nature going about its business.
https://youtu.be/Fent4UFBVEI
Magpie's messing around with an object!
A pair of magpies, possibly one adult and one juvenile, find an object and mess around with it. I've yet to locate this object and identify what it is. Enjoy nature going about its business.
https://youtu.be/UjhTawSp2qM
Magpie provokes a squirrel
A magpie swoops in to provoke a squirrel on the garden fence. Watch the make a dash from the garden fence on the left to a bird feeder. It is very likely the magpie on the ground at the time of this, is one of this years young, and hence the provoking magpie will be doing what any parent would do, protect their young.
https://youtu.be/RhrdCkUl6fE
Magpie agitated by crows
There is history between the magpie and crows, with the overall winner being the unconcerned crows. Basically, the magpie is uneasy with the crows in the garden, but knows, any attempt to ward them off is doomed, so it paces agitated.
https://youtu.be/9lc31P47Y4w
Magpie warns off wood pigeon
Magpie warns off a wood pigeon, one of many that visit our garden. The magpie does have a young one that accompanies it, though it’s not seen in this video.
https://youtu.be/cSfdhm9VfIE
Michael B said:Whatever, it still makes for interesting viewing of nature going about its business.
Very Interesting Mike, love them playing tag with the......whatever..... CHOL:):)
Thanks for taking time to Video and post.
Thanks to all for their comments.
I'm finding the activities of this magpie family increasingly interesting.
I the stick/twig thing is definitely a plaything, toy, or whatever. Whenever they leave they seem to take it with them and return the following day with the same item! Repeatedly I've been out to seek this thing, out of curiosity, but nothing there!
I've taken lots of photos in hope of identifying exactly what it is, but the light is too poor with the added issue of taken through a kitchen window. The following photos are the best so far.
Time is running out, junior will be maturing soon and the playful moments will be gone, but while the opportunities arise, I'll grab the moments.
More from the menacing magpies
One for the family album, all three in a line on the fence, well, it could have been if dad didn't decide to chase after a wood pigeon....
And after both parents have a bathe on he pond fountain, junior has a bathe, but comes off wet!
Now time to 'air dry!
Remember - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
See some of my photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/181900595@N03/
Martin S said:I've got a magpie that's doing the same here near Edinburgh, its territory must be a good 150m in every direction from its nest, and keeps terrorising the starlings feeding in my garden. Sits on a neighbours ariel watching for them land, then strikes like an exocet missile
I would imagine there are lots around the UK, and not just magpies.
I've found it interesting to watch, and especially the grey squirrels, who I think have the upper hand over the magpies. I observed one yesterday morning, deliberately change it route to run through the magpies on the fence. The magpie turned to face the squirrel head on, who just kept running. The magpie at the very last minute flew off, almost falling down!
Things have gone very quiet with the magpie family, now the kids have grown up, though the young are still very playful and still a little dependant on the parents to feed them, or should that be pamper them, because they can feed themselves when they want to, and certainly when the parents aren't around.....