Magpie with something around its neck...

[anonymous-user]

This Magpie is regularly in my garden. It's a young bird but very thin compared to its peers. It seems to have a plastic ring around his neck. The red arrows below show the plastic ring.

I could expend some effort trying to entice it with food, trap it, and cut off the ring. Or leave it to its fate. If it's happy enough then it's best left as is, but if it's suffering then I'd be inclined to trap it/cut it off if I can, but I hate handling flapping birds as they seem so fragile.

What would you do? I'm troubled by it !

[Gary29]

It definitely looks like it needs removing if it's to survive it's natural lifespan! I'd probably try to entice it and remove it if I could. But I'm far from an expert.

[MattyD803]

I recently had to rescue a magpie which was hanging upside down from a tree branch, caught in what appeared to be fishing line around it's leg and the branch. His 'friends' were trying to save him by pecking away at his leg, and local cats were circling, so I had to step in and cut it free. I think you might have to do the same if you can 'catch' it...?

I am certainly no bird watcher or have much bird knowledge, but from a brief chat with the RSPCA before I made said rescue, I think it is part and parcel of the magpie's nature when scavenging to pick up all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff like fishing line, netting etc - a common reason for their despise.

Keep us posted...

[BoRED S2upid]

I agree. Get a big net or borrow one.

[Silvanus]

Worth getting in touch with a local rescue centre, I know many people aren't fond of magpies (a misunderstood bird that I personally like). They should be able to offer some advice and maybe able to help.

I dropped a Jay off to a place in leatherhead yesterday that had been hit by a van on Saturday and had a dislocated/broken hip. Was a bugger to catch but fingers crossed the centre can do something.

[paintman]

That needs removing.
Contact the RSPB & see what they can offer.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th October 16:42

[anonymous-user]

paintman said:

That needs removing.
Contact the RSPB & see what they can offer.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th October 16:42

Tried the RSPB web site. It seems to be only interested in raising funds. Nowhere does it offer this type of help as far as I can see.

[anonymous-user]

It seems to come each morning to feed in the same spot. If it comes tomorrow as usual then I’ll try and rig up a net overhead with a string to my lair (aka back porch). If netted it should be easier to restrain it without damaging it. Side cutters will snip it off if it stays still.

I can’t stand plastic, so much if it dumped everywhere. Causes endless misery for wildlife.

[paintman]

MikeStroud said:

paintman said:

That needs removing.
Contact the RSPB & see what they can offer.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th October 16:42

Tried the RSPB web site. It seems to be only interested in raising funds. Nowhere does it offer this type of help as far as I can see.

Just had a look & I hadn't realised that!

[Silvanus]

paintman said:

MikeStroud said:

paintman said:

That needs removing.
Contact the RSPB & see what they can offer.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th October 16:42

Tried the RSPB web site. It seems to be only interested in raising funds. Nowhere does it offer this type of help as far as I can see.

Just had a look & I hadn't realised that!

RSPCA may be able to help, although better off looking at local wildlife support organisations or individuals. There are places dotted about everywhere. Google something in your area or even try Facebook. As mentioned above there is a great place in leatherhead.

[Simpo Two]

I've never tried to catch a magpie but I'd watch out for the beak. Maybe try to wrap it up in a towel, like a vet does with a cat, to protect both of you. You may only get once chance as if you lunge and miss it could be spooked and not come back. You don't say where you are but there may be a local wildlife organisation somewhere near. Good luck.

[Silvanus]

Simpo Two said:

I've never tried to catch a magpie but I'd watch out for the beak. Maybe try to wrap it up in a towel, like a vet does with a cat, to protect both of you. You may only get once chance as if you lunge and miss it could be spooked and not come back. You don't say where you are but there may be a local wildlife organisation somewhere near. Good luck.

Larcen traps are good for trapping corvids, I certainly agree that it's worth finding a local rescue centre or wild animal hospital. They can be very helpful and will have teams of specialist volunteers who can help.

[Nightmare]

Poor little thing . Be great to help it even if magpies are fairly evil!

I don’t think you need to worry about damaging it - they’re really not that fragile. My guess is that you will suffer significantly more injury than it

Really best of luck and hope you manage to help. If you can hold it with one hand trapping both wings (so basically round the middle) it will help your cause immensely imo

[Silvanus]

Nightmare said:

Poor little thing . Be great to help it even if magpies are fairly evil!

I don’t think you need to worry about damaging it - they’re really not that fragile. My guess is that you will suffer significantly more injury than it

Really best of luck and hope you manage to help. If you can hold it with one hand trapping both wings (so basically round the middle) it will help your cause immensely imo

Magpies are not remotely evil, evil is a human trait. Magpies are very much part of a balanced ecosystem. If there is ever any issues with magpies you can almost guarantee the route cause is man-made.
The magpies are evil thing is ill informed nonsense. If they kill other creatures, they do it to feed themselves and their young, not for the fun of it.

[nordboy]

paintman said:

That needs removing.
Contact the RSPB & see what they can offer.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th October 16:42

The RSPB and the RSPCA are both pretty much just fund raising organisations these days. Contrary to what image they attempt to portray there's very little chance of getting physical assistance from either of them these days.

[Evanivitch]

Silvanus said:

Magpies are not remotely evil, evil is a human trait. Magpies are very much part of a balanced ecosystem. If there is ever any issues with magpies you can almost guarantee the route cause is man-made.
The magpies are evil thing is ill informed nonsense. If they kill other creatures, they do it to feed themselves and their young, not for the fun of it.

The issue being the persecution of birds of prey and mustelids meant the magpie and other corvids had few predators or deterrents.

Australian magpies are indeed evil. They attack cyclists like sea skimming anti ship missiles.

[Blackpuddin]

Always cut any plastic rings (milk carton tops etc) before throwing them away.

[Simpo Two]

Evanivitch said:

Australian magpies are indeed evil. They attack cyclists like sea skimming anti ship missiles.

'Aggressive' might be a better word. They are only doing what years of evolution has programmed them to do, in this case perhaps defending territory against a perceived threat.

[Silvanus]

Simpo Two said:

Evanivitch said:

Australian magpies are indeed evil. They attack cyclists like sea skimming anti ship missiles.

'Aggressive' might be a better word. They are only doing what years of evolution has programmed them to do, in this case perhaps defending territory against a perceived threat.

Yep, when people use words like evil in relation to most animals, it shows a lack of understanding of animal behaviour.

[Zetec-S]

Silvanus said:

Yep, when people use words like evil in relation to most animals, it shows a lack of understanding of animal behaviour.

You've obviously not met my Aunt's cat