unusual observation?

["Charles Buer" <>]

We've just witnessed a (to me anyway) unusual activity in our yard.
I heard a lot of bird noise, and saw three magpies chasing an adult female sparrow in the confines of our backyard. The three cooperated and chased the sparrow until they overpowered it (I noticed a Currawong in the vicinity, which may have injured the sparrow sufficiently to prevent proper flight).

Anyway, after the 'three musketeers' caught the sparrow, they then proceeded to try to rip it apart with all three hanging on at once. They spent about 10 minutes - often tugging it three ways! I finally managed to get a film in my camera and capture some of the 'sport'. They couldn't get into it - they reminded me of kids trying to open a lolly packet! Eventually they got bored and decided that I'd probably have some better tidbits on offer and one came begging.
We've just looked out the window - the sparrow is gone and we don't know where! It was very, very dead!!
My question is; it is unusual to see Magpies chase, capture, kill and attempt to devour a bird? I've never witnessed this before.
Margaret McJannett

---

 Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces  


*******************************************************************************************************
This is the email announcement and discussion list of the Canberra Ornithologists Group. 
List-Post: <> 
List-Help: <> 
List-Unsubscribe: <> 
List-Subscribe: <>
List archive:

List manager: David McDonald, phone (02) 6231 8904; email <>