Crafty Birds

[tufftie]

I was watching a magpie hopping around by a squirrel on nut caching duties. After the squirrel had gone back for more nuts the magpie went to the place the squizzy had been burying them and ate them!

Just wanted to know what other crafty birds are out there?

[aeshna5]

I've observed this with Magpies too. In fact all the birds I've watched doing this have been corvids, as also seen Jays + Crows doing it.

[RobS]

Just wanted to know what other crafty birds are out there?

Sarah Ferguson?

[slimrbp]

We get a similar thing in the garden with the crows and magpies. Both seem to take some food and hide it in the nooks and crannies on the shed roof. They watch each other and are always stealing each others stash.

[kercock]

A few years ago when I worked on the river Tay I saw an Osprey splash into the river and catch a trout. About two hundred yards downstream there were quite a few common gulls nesting. When the gulls noticed the Osprey had a fish they went on the attack even more than they usually do in the hope of "mugging" the Osprey. What struck me as very odd was the fact the Osprey,having caught the trout flew past the nest site of the gulls then started to circle in the sky,not climbing at all ,just maintaining height,most unusual.
Then another Osprey arrived,no messing,straight into the river came out with a trout,it too, when it gained hight,hung about for a bit whilst the FIRST Osprey flew to it, then they both flew off in the direction of Loch of the Lowes which is only a few miles away..
I was gobsmacked, one Osprey luring the gulls away whilst its mate got an undisturbed go at the trout in the river.
Another few moments of magic by the river !!¬

[Tony BEE]

Re Crafty Birds. I once watched a magpie fly slowly past an occupied crows nest. The crows took off and "escortedthe intruder away" stage left. Seconds later the magpies mate appeared "stage right" flew to the nest; snatched an egg, flew a few yards and ate the egg!

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Just wanted to know what other crafty birds are out there?

Me!

A squirrel used to get walnuts from somewhere and bury them in our garden. I used to carefully watch where it buried the nut and go out and search for it. The nut was usually very well hidden, but I persevered and when I found one I ate it! I'd swear they were far more tasty than any bought ones, and I used to get a kick out of getting one over a squirrel!

Jim

Oops, just noticed - Tufftie's atavar's a squirrel!