Hello all,
I was at Broken Hill for work this week and made what was to me a strange
observation. While walking along Argent Street (without my camera of
course), I heard a thud beside me and saw a Crested Pigeon on the ground
that must have hit the ground fairly hard. A Magpie flew straight down to
the pigeon before I had time to react and started pecking it quickly and
aggressively around the head. The pigeon was clearly still alive- flapping
its wings and kicking its legs.
For a moment I considered whether I should try to save the pigeon and then
realised that the pigeon was already probably too far gone and also decided
that I shouldn't interrupt a natural event.I watched for another 10-15
seconds while the magpie dispatched with the pigeon, many of the pecks were
directed at the back of the head and the face. I actually wondered whether
the magpie was going to start eating. I decided to rush back to my
accommodation to grab the camera (only 50 m. away) as the magpie didn't
look like it was going anywhere. When I returned the magpie had left.
Looking back I assume that it must have been a territorial magpie that was
in a mean frame of mind that morning.
Just curious to know if others have seen similar behaviour by magpies?
Cheers
Mick Todd
Michael Todd
Red Cliffs, VIC
http://wildlifing.smugmug.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-todd/2b/425/605
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