Young Magpie Help

TameBird · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 04:20 PM

Hi, I have 2 dogs and yesterday at about 6pm one of them found a young magpie in our garden. The dogs were moved inside and without getting too close I checked to see the Magpie was not hurt (which it isnt). From experiece I left the Magpie where it was and have seen both mum and dad come to feed it and the Magpie made feeble attempts at trying to fly (not getting more than 3-4 feet in the air. I put some water out and some canned meat as I read that they eat canned meat and left it overnight. Today I have monitored it and have seen mum and dad come about 4 times to feed it, but have also seen other Magpies come to pinch the meat I had put out. Also after some further investigation as to what to feed young Magpies I made some mashed up egg (this has now been mainly eaten by other Magpies in the area). Today however the young Magpie has not made any attempts at trying to fly and is hoping about the garden (much to the annoyance of the dogs as they are only allowed out to toilet). It has now been 24hrs since the Magpie was found in the garden and has been left well alone so as to ensure mum and dad do not abandon it, however I am worried that it has still not attempted to fly. Does anyone has any advice as to what I should do as I am trying to monitor it as much as possible as I do not want it to get attacked. Also will it be safe spending a 2nd night on the ground?? Many thanks

TameBird · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 06:00 PM

Any help or advice would be much apprecieted, its sat on a wall waiting to be fed but I have not seen mum or dad for 4 hours now

any help???

Jenny W · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 06:05 PM

It sounds like it has not long left the nest so it will take a few days or so to build up it's strength to be able to fly fully. If it is not behaving properly it suggests that there may be something wrong with it.

I'd just leave it to nature to be honest - sorry

TameBird · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 06:08 PM

Ok thank you, I just dont want the little fellow to fall victim to a cat or anything as it seems perfectly helathy just without its parents. I shall just leave it be and monitor as before