birding-aus

FW: Magpie killing Crested Pigeon

To: Birding-Aus <>
Subject: FW: Magpie killing Crested Pigeon
From: John Graff <>
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:03:25 +0800
I always do this - meant to reply to the list as well. See below for the reply 
I sent to Michael a while back

Begin forwarded message:


Hi Michael (et al.),

I've observed almost identical behaviour in the park across from my house - the 
victim in that instance was a Laughing Dove, and the attack was carried out by 
two magpies. Once again killed by repeated stabbing blows, mostly to the head 
and nape. Once dead, no further interest was shown by the magpies

Cheers,
John

> Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2014 18:30:05 +1000
> From: 
> To: 
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Magpie killing Crested Pigeon
> 
> 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
> _______________________________________________
> Birding-Aus mailing list
> 
> To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
> http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
                                          
                                          
_______________________________________________
Birding-Aus mailing list

To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the birding-aus mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU