I saw an amazing confrontation between a crow and a magpie today. I think it was the magpie that was defending its nest against a crow. The crow was much bigger than the magpie but the magpie was using gerrila tactics against it. The crow seemed to be in control but while it was right beside the nest it did not seem to risk going in to take whatever it was after.
Eventually the crow flew down to the pavement and the magpie went back to its nest.
Has anyone seen behaviour like this before?
Tiger Signature
No, I never have Tiger - a nice coincidence that you were watching! I've often seen confrontations between crow species but never anything close to a nest.
Maybe the magpie had eggs in the nest and the crow fancied a meal.
:-)
Seriously thinking about trying harder!
I've seen this before, and the crow also didnt get what it wanted. I've heard that crows usually mob nests of magpies to scare the magpie away and then take over the nest. They then eat the eggs and lay their own in the nest. The process of the magpie abandoning its nest may take up to a week (because they have to build another one.) In about a week, you may see a crow in the old magpie nest. Only the very boldest magpies stay in the nest. I think crows are intelligent enough to not go to the trouble of building a nest.
See what you think.
HK.
HoveringKestrel Thanks for the idea of going back to look. I only saw it because someone else was watching the confrontation. The crow did not seem to be intent on raiding the nest. Maybe just making life uncomfortable for the magpie. It was like the crow saying "You are not wanted around here". One has to ask where the second magpie was?
Just found this YouTube video of crows taking over a magpie nest Tiger. Guess it must happen quite often.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
I do think that was probably what was happening. Mind you there was only one crow and one magpie in my case.
Ooooo Tiger, one magpie? That's unlucky. I hope you doffed your cap!! LOL.
Cheers, Linda.
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Fascinating thread this! Lots of new stuff here I've never seen or heard!
Patricia M said: Fascinating thread this! Lots of new stuff here I've never seen or heard! :-)
Must be something for you to say that!
Susan H said: Ooooo Tiger, one magpie? That's unlucky. I hope you doffed your cap!! LOL.
I am not superstitious!
Hazel b said: Fascinating thread this! Lots of new stuff here I've never seen or heard! :-)