Magpie attacks Herring Gull

[glojo]

I am no fan of mag pies but I was very surprised to see an adult magpie attack a fully mature herring gull.

Across the road from us we have a pair of gulls and their two young chicks. The chicks were sleeping on the flat roof and one of the gulls was standing close by as there were one or two magpies on the roof.

All of a sudden one of the magpies launched itself at the head of this adult bird and hit it with such force that the seagull was bowled over and carried out a complete back somersault. The partner of the attacked gull immediately chased off the offending magpie but this was a first for me.

Sadly last year magpies killed both the chicks that this pair of gulls were raising but I have never seen the adults being attacked.

On a side note I have magpies killing fully grown green finches and various tits that come to my bird feeder. These birds fly up to the feeder and which has a squirrel protection cage and sadly they drag out the feeding bird and fall to the ground with it where they then try to carry out the coupé de grace. If I am lucky enough to be watching I tend to throw a book, or any6 other object that comes to hand in an attempt to scare off the magpie (I hate to say it but I did throw a mobile phone once and although it saved a green finch, it killed the phone

Apologies for going slightly off topic but I guess my main question is regarding the attack on the herring gull

[rossbells]

Magpies are nasty birds. My friend has trapped 7 of them in the past week as they can get out of hand and do serious damage.

[leon_heller]

I've seen a pair of them here, landing on my balcony where I have a Herring Gull nest with a pair of chicks. The parents are very vigilant and chased them off.

[glojo]

Originally Posted by leon_heller

I've seen a pair of them here, landing on my balcony where I have a Herring Gull nest with a pair of chicks. The parents are very vigilant and chased them off.

I just hope your parents are vigilant enough as the magpie is an exceedingly clever bird.

Like you I live on the coast where any type of gull is usually disliked but we loved watching the gulls raising their young and found it very upsetting when the chicks were killed (last year) Unfortunately the parents gradually leave the chicks for longer spells, either getting food, or just 'stretching' their wings. It took seconds to kill the chicks which were far too big to carry off and seeing the parents trying to feed the dead chicks was really sad

I do not know the answer and I guess if you are soft like me then it is no good listening to folks that say it is nature and we just have to accept what happens.

[Tringa]

There is nothing nasty about magpies.

All they are doing is exploiting an opportunity.

However, I have not seen magpies have a go at adult herring gull, so this is a good observation.

Dave

[leon_heller]

I stayed at a B&B once, with a large pond. I went for a walk round the extensive garden and came across a magpie in a cage. I asked about it, and was told that they were hoping to attract it's mate so they could dispose of both of them, as they were killing all the ducklings. That was several years ago, it's probably illegal now.

Of course, given half a chance, a gull will eat magpie eggs and chicks.

[FUDGEY]

Not illegal Leon, they are called Larsen traps and are very effective indeed.

[Gill Catton]

Don't think a gull would think twice about taking a magpie chick if it could. It's called life folks and it's fine, these animals have evolved alongside each other and they are just doing what they are supposed to do.