Magpies

[shemlock]

I have never been very fond of magpies, as I have seen them destroy small bird's nests, to get at the babies, however, I am having a bit of a change of heart about them. I have been watching them on our small paddock, and noticed that they appear to be eating the ants. So now I think that they may be a gardener's friend.

[Lord L]

shemlock said:

I have never been very fond of magpies, as I have seen them destroy small bird's nests, to get at the babies, however, I am having a bit of a change of heart about them. I have been watching them on our small paddock, and noticed that they appear to be eating the ants. So now I think that they may be a gardener's friend.

I hate to spoil the picture, because I think magpies are greatly maligned, but it is possible that they are not eating the ants, but 'anting'.

Many birds will do this: they pick up an ant in their beak which causes the ant to discharge formic acid over the feathers of the bird.

Exactly why they do this is not certain, though it is presumably either to get rid of parasites, or simply because it feels good.

[shemlock]

Thank you Lord L, thinking about what I saw the bird's do, you are probably right. The only problem now, is I was trying to paint a favourable picture of the Magpies, to convince my husband they are not all bad, after reading your comment,he is back to his original thinking of them as ' nest plunderers'.

[carlott]

shemlock said:

Thank you Lord L, thinking about what I saw the bird's do, you are probably right. The only problem now, is I was trying to paint a favourable picture of the Magpies, to convince my husband they are not all bad, after reading your comment,he is back to his original thinking of them as ' nest plunderers'.

But then do not 'Blue Tits', as an example, wrench little grubs off branches to thrust down the throats of their babies? Other grub takers are available.

[lindasahandir]

shemlock said:

Thank you Lord L, thinking about what I saw the bird's do, you are probably right. The only problem now, is I was trying to paint a favourable picture of the Magpies, to convince my husband they are not all bad, after reading your comment,he is back to his original thinking of them as ' nest plunderers'.

I think it's quite bizarre, the way people go on about Magpies. They have to eat, same as any other bird! Nobody seems bothered when large mammals eat smaller mammals, but when a large bird dares to eat a smaller one, all hell breaks loose! Why?

[Sharon Sharealike]

I think it may be because it can happen right under your very nose in the garden!

Last year we witnessed Magpies killing young blackbirds. It was such a shame as I has watched them grow from little blobs in the nest to "bigger than mum" plump youngsters.

I did have a Sparrow Hawk eating a Dove in the garden a couple of years ago! I didn't disturb it as I would rather it would eat that and be sated than leave a dead one to clear up and then go and kill again.

[Lord L]

shemlock said:

Thank you Lord L, thinking about what I saw the bird's do, you are probably right. The only problem now, is I was trying to paint a favourable picture of the Magpies, to convince my husband they are not all bad, after reading your comment,he is back to his original thinking of them as ' nest plunderers'.

Magpies are just doing what magpies do to survive.

And there is no evidence that they have any impact on small bird populations.

[lindasahandir]

sharon said:

I think it may be because it can happen right under your very nose in the garden!

Last year we witnessed Magpies killing young blackbirds. It was such a shame as I has watched them grow from little blobs in the nest to "bigger than mum" plump youngsters.

I did have a Sparrow Hawk eating a Dove in the garden a couple of years ago! I didn't disturb it as I would rather it would eat that and be sated than leave a dead one to clear up and then go and kill again.

Yes, I think you're right, it is at least partly because people actually see it happen. Which kind of shows how far from nature we've removed ourselves, really, don't you think?

[Sharon Sharealike]

Your right Linda, I must admit that I turn the telly over when things kill each other and I do know that if I had to be a hunter-gatherer, I would probably manage to fish to eat but would probably eat berries and nuts to survive!

[revmichael]

I may be speaking out of turn but, although they make a terrible machine-gun like noise when cats are around, their feathers are a very nice shiny greeny-black colour in the sunshine.

[carlott]

revmichael said:

I may be speaking out of turn but, although they make a terrible machine-gun like noise when cats are around, their feathers are a very nice shiny greeny-black colour in the sunshine.

They are very smartly turned out - remind me of the Mafiosa at a wedding

[revmichael]

carlott said:

revmichael said:

I may be speaking out of turn but, although they make a terrible machine-gun like noise when cats are around, their feathers are a very nice shiny greeny-black colour in the sunshine.

They are very smartly turned out - remind me of the Mafiosa at a wedding

Good analogy Carl.
It sums up what I was trying to say.

[fayemcademy]

They are the yobbos of the bird world!(together with skuas!)

[fayemcademy]

Ps and the other Magpies are worse!

[territalks]

I was walking with a friend one day, there was about six Magpies mobbing a cat! So I feel that yes they are vicious. Having said that! There may have been a good reason for them doing this!

Love

TT xxxx

[territalks]

Hi Mal

Sorry with a face like that I would not want no dream of kissing it!!

Love

TT xxxx

[rhondabout]

lindasahandir said:

I think it's quite bizarre, the way people go on about Magpies. They have to eat, same as any other bird! Nobody seems bothered when large mammals eat smaller mammals, but when a large bird dares to eat a smaller one, all hell breaks loose! Why?

I think where I come from it's more that the magpies tend to be responsible for eating the chicks which were supposed to be turning into chickens for the rest of us carnivores to eat - it's not that we object to them doing what they do to survive, but like so many other things in life we'd rather they didn't do anything unpleasant on our own doorsteps!

[fayemcademy]

territalks003 said:

Hi Mal

Sorry with a face like that I would not want no dream of kissing it!!

Love

TT xxxx

I am hurt!!

[lindasahandir]

rhondabout said:

lindasahandir said:

I think it's quite bizarre, the way people go on about Magpies. They have to eat, same as any other bird! Nobody seems bothered when large mammals eat smaller mammals, but when a large bird dares to eat a smaller one, all hell breaks loose! Why?

I think where I come from it's more that the magpies tend to be responsible for eating the chicks which were supposed to be turning into chickens for the rest of us carnivores to eat - it's not that we object to them doing what they do to survive, but like so many other things in life we'd rather they didn't do anything unpleasant on our own doorsteps!

Oh, that I can understand, up to a point. It's the people who go on about Magpies killing off all the songbirds that really irritate me - because it's nonsense!

[territalks]

Sorry Mal
Big Kisses & Hugs for you I will just close my eyes and think nice thoughts. Pucker up then!

Love

TT xxxx