Magpie with Sparrow in Beak

[barquar]

I was Shocked today to see a Magpie with a fully grown Sparrow in its Beak sitting on the apex of my Garden shed. I thought they only took very young birds out of the nests.
You learn something eevery day. Sorry no Photo.
Barquar

[Pippa]

Probably picked on a weaker bird but they are scouting here at the moment B for the young and i suppose, the weak too.

They are very intelligent birds and i have seen them do many things i wouldn't have believed, had i not witnessed it myself.A Magpie took bread from the middle of my garden and placed it under a Buddleia in the border.It then perched halfway up waiting for the Sparrows to come .On that occassion,i went out chased it and put the bread back in the open.Have to admit i was impressed.

[aeshna5]

I suspect it was either a sick or recently fledged individual.

[Wakey Dave]

Magpies, as is the case with all members of the Crow family, are proven to be among some of the more intelligent species of bird. Although I have to admit that I have a sneaking admiration of their guile & cunning, it can be hard to accept some of their less desirable behaviours such as wiping out entire broods, having watched them progress from the egg!! In fact, I have often observed a pair of robins nesting in some Ivy close to my home which tended to do so year on year, always in the same place. Sadly, also year on year, their offspring were predated by our local Magpies.... You'd think they might learn...

Wakey Dave...