Do Magpies hoard food I have been wondering. I know some of the corvid family do. The behaviour of one visiting Magpie has got me wondering. I had filmed it on the lawn grabbing the occasional peanut. Although I missed part of the action I am sure this bird was putting the peanuts in cracks in the earth.
Early the next morning the old Hedgehog camera caught the Magpie apparently at one of the spots where it may have buried a peanut and seems to be eating it. My apologies for all the glitches on the video as the recorder seems to have been in a 'mood'.
I cannot be absolutely sure it is the same place on the lawn as the recordings are made from different viewpoints. The long zoom used on the first video foreshortens distances but it seems to me to be one possible interpretation of the Magpie's behaviour.
Looks like it is. They hoard tin foil, as children we used to leave Kit Kat wrappers for them.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of but not seen Magpies hoarding shiny objects, Adrian. I know the Coal Tits spend a lot of time snatching the Sunflower seeds to hoard but it is the first time I have seen any other bird do it.
ReplyDeleteFascinating captures John. I'd say he's definitely burying them. Thinks he's a squirrel. lol
ReplyDeleteIt certainly looked like it Keith. I didn't notice what was going on at the time as I was keeping an eye on other birds as well. I must scatter some more and see if I can get all the activity next time.
ReplyDeleteI found some information on Magpies burying food here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/expert/previous/bury.asp
"When there is plenty of food around, magpies will also hoard surplus food for later consumption. Using their beaks, magpies will make holes in the ground and then place the food in it. This will then be covered up with either leaves or grass for later retrieval. These food stores are normally dotted around the magpie’s territory."
Burying Birdy Bistro's Bounty :)
Fascinating behavior!
ReplyDeleteYes, they do indeed bury food in holes or cracks in the ground particularly in Winter. I loved the first video in particular John, it looked so bouncy and proud of itself, as if it was pleased with doing a successful job!
ReplyDeleteHi Glo. Thanks for the link. Don't know why I didn't search this time. It was great to be able to, almost, capture the activity.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was Wilma. Funnily, I didn't see what it was doing until I checked the video.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan. I knew some, like the Jays, buried food but I don't think I had ever heard of Magpies doing that. They always look to me as though they are using those space hoppers which were the craze many years ago.
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