hooded crows attacking magpies

MB Lacey · 07-03-2011 4:05pm #1

Anyone know why a Hooded Crow would start a fight with 2 Magpies making a nest in a tree?
Surely it should be letting them build the nest, licking it's lips at the thought of potential magpie chicks to be eaten?

I was also interested to see both the Magpies and Hooded Crow, banging the bark with their beaks (banging like a woodpecker, not simply cleaning it's beak). I've never seen this display of aggression before.

Half-cocked · 07-03-2011 4:24pm

Possibly the magpies were moving in on the hoodies nest site?

MB Lacey · 07-03-2011 4:34pm

I don't think so HC. It's a tree I can see from my window and the Magpies have been buidling their nest since last week with no sign of the Hooded Crow, today was the first day I noticed it. The trees they're building their nest in often has several magpies sitting in the branches, every now and then a Hooded Crow will perch in the tree, but not often.

johngalway · 07-03-2011 4:37pm

Reckon it's territorial. Saw a doozie of a battle a few years back between multiple magpies & grey crows over a small tree in among a lot of gorse.

who the fug · 07-03-2011 4:41pm

I suppose the crow no like these blow ins

MB Lacey · 07-03-2011 4:41pm

johngalway wrote: »

Reckon it's territorial. Saw a doozie of a battle a few years back between multiple magpies & grey crows over a small tree in among a lot of gorse.

Yeah, but why be territorial if you might get a free meal out of allowing them to build a nest?
Territory must be the priority I guess?

trebor28 · 07-03-2011 5:13pm

surely they would more or less be competing for the same food in the area?
i would say its all territorial, would the hooded crow even be able to get at the magpie's eggs had they built there??

MB Lacey · 07-03-2011 5:54pm

I'd say so - I'll let you know, as far as I can see they're still building!!

MB Lacey · 08-03-2011 1:30pm

Well, the Magpies were building the nest again this morning until the HC's turned up again. Now there's 2 HC's sitting in the tree and the Magpies have given them the space (but no doubt they'll return later).

Out of interest, would a HC take over a midbuilt Magpie nest?

johngalway · 08-03-2011 2:04pm

Think about it this way, if you're a greycrow would you rather:

Possibly have a chance at a couple of magpie chicks?
Have prolonged competition from a pair of magpies for other food sources?

I'm no expert on them besides catching them but I know which option I'd plump for.

hooded crows attacking magpies

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