HAS THE BABY MAGPIE REALLY BEEN ABANDONED
Magpies are ground feeders and so it is quite natural for young magpies to be on the ground. They are learning to feed themselves.
Many people see a young magpie on the ground and because it doesn’t fly well and looks young assume that the bird has fallen out of its nest and has been abandoned.
This is not usually the case. The parents are usually around hunting for food themselves and have left the young bird to learn to feed itself. They will return frequently to feed it and defend it if it is in danger.
If you see a young magpie on the ground the best thing to do is observe it. If it doesn’t look injured and is not in any danger, leave it where it is, especially if the parents are around. If you don’t see the parents, there is still no need to be concerned, just check on the bird a bit later in the day.
If you think the young bird is in danger, move it to a safe place nearby, on a branch or off the ground in the shade. Make sure the parents can still find it so they can continue to care for it.
If you find a young bird that you think that might be injured and you decide to take it to a wildlife carer or Vet, it is vitally important that you know EXACTLY where the bird was found because it needs to be returned to the exact location to be reunited with its family when it is healthy. The family group looks after a young magpie for up to 2 years, so if the bird goes to the wrong group it will not survive and will probably be killed as it will be seen as an intruder.
