A young magpie was on the ground. It had some adult feathers, but no tail feathers so it couldn't fly. It was being attacked by other adult magpies.
So I rescued it and moved it into a small chook run that protected it. We then for the next week fed it with small pieces on meat (left over sausage, thinly slice beef and ham). Unfortunately, it died yesterday.
Clearly, we didn't get something right as it had been OK and was starting to jump up on things and spread its wings.
Any advice for future reference
Rod
Hi Rod
Very sad news. Strange that it was being attacked by other magpies - there may have been an underlying illness. In the future (if a baby is not being attacked):
Hope this helps and thank you for trying to help this bird. Birds are notoriously difficult to care for and can often die suddenly for no apparent reason (usually stress related). Best given straight to the experts wherever possible.
We have rescue contacts listed on the FAQ section of the website too.
Cheers
Holly
Hi Rod, thanks for trying. We do wildlife rescue, and the advice Holly has given is 100% correct. The same principle applies to all wildlife, keep them safe, warm and dry and in a quiet, darkened environment, do not feed or offer fluids, unless advised by the rescue Organisation to do so. Holly also has a thread in this section, worth a read, and maybe store the closest contact in your mobile. Thanks again, and better luck next time.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/Bird-rescuerehabilitation/What-do-if-you-find-injuredsick-bird-check-here-first
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I see juvenile magpies being attacked by adults all the time during/in the breeding season,luckily none have ended in a death so far. I thought this behaviour was quite common, but apparently it's not? Doesn't this happen in the Eastern States?
Magpies have very complex social arrangements. I'd be very wary of "rescuing" a young magpie from adult magpie attack as you may be interfering in some social behaviour that is important for the well-being of the magpie group/family.
No they certainly do attack young birds during the breeding season, the description just seemed like this bird was a little younger than what I would expect given it wasn't flying etc. I very well could be wrong though.
It is really hard to know when to interfere and when to let nature take its course...