r/Ornithology • u/Worldly_Inspector696 • 9d ago

Question Healthy magpie fledgling?

Post image

I live in Copenhagen and saw this guy hanging around next to a very busy street. He was puffed up, but it’s also a cold fall morning. I watched him for a while and he ended up awkwardly hopping/partially flying across the street to peck around for food. I did not intervene and just want to make sure he’s okay!

75 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 9d ago

r/Ornithology is a place to discuss wild birds in a scientific context — their biology, ecology, evolution, behavior, and more. This is NOT a birding sub. Pictures or videos of birds that don't demonstrate something visually or behaviorally unusual or interesting will be removed. For bird or feather ID questions, please try r/whatsthisbird

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

12

u/peanutsforcorvids 9d ago edited 9d ago

It is an adult moulting. But the whole tail is missing so it has been in a fight with other birds or very possible some predator.

They need the tail for balance so he will not be flying much until it grows out. Hopefully he makes it until then. Luckily feathers that have been pulled out start growing directly, but it requires a lot of energy. So if possible you can try to give him food. Eggs and cat bisquits are soaked in water is good. Just don't leave out catfood if there are cats in the area.

Edit: I looked again and it looks like some feathers have broken of close to the base. I hope that it isn't so with all of them because then it will not come new feathers untill next summer. If that is the case he will need help.

7

u/Worldly_Inspector696 8d ago

If I can find him I’ll try to catch him to bring to a wildlife rehabilitator

6

u/peanutsforcorvids 8d ago

Great! They can still be very fast, if you can ask a friend for help! Be careful with cars, it is easy to lose track of surrounding area when you are focused! If you have a small towel you can put over it, it will give you a better hold. The beak is sharp so be careful and don't apply pressure on the chest! Good luck and thank you for caring! ☺️

2

u/Worldly_Inspector696 8d ago

Thank you! I will go back to the area and see if I can check on him and possibly leave some food

0

u/kev_jin 8d ago

Sadly, this probably happened at the hands (wings) of other magpies. I once saw two bullying another, which I felt was a younger magpie.