Why Do Squirrels And Magpies Fight? The Truth!
Contents
Tree squirrels are agile rodents with long, bushy tails. They are vocal, and they chatter and flick their tails when they feel threatened.
Magpies are bold, clever birds in the crow family. They will mob and chase animals that come near their nests.
So it's no surprise that squirrels and magpies sometimes clash in parks and backyards.
Why do squirrels and magpies fight? Squirrels and magpies fight mainly over food and nest areas. Magpies steal food and raid nests, and squirrels chase them away. Most of these fights are noisy chases rather than real battles.
Below we look at the reasons in more detail and answer some related questions.
Related article: Can magpies be pets?
Reasons Why Squirrels And Magpies Fight
The two main reasons are food and space.
Both animals live in and around trees and visit the same lawns, bird feeders and gardens. When they meet, they compete.
Magpies are known food thieves. The National Audubon Society notes that black-billed magpies sometimes steal food from other birds, and people often see them trying to snatch nuts that squirrels have found or buried.
A squirrel will usually defend its food by chasing the magpie off. Magpies, in turn, mob squirrels that come too close to their nests, since squirrels may take eggs.
These encounters are usually chases, scolding and dive-bombing. Serious injuries are uncommon.
Do Other Birds Attack Squirrels?
Yes. Hawks and owls hunt squirrels. The Audubon Society lists ground squirrels among the prey of great horned owls, for example.
Other birds, such as jays and crows, may mob squirrels near their nests or squabble with them over food.
Why Do Birds Hate Squirrels?
Birds don't "hate" squirrels, but they have good reasons to chase them. Squirrels compete with them for food, and some squirrels eat bird eggs or nestlings.
Birds of prey, on the other hand, simply see squirrels as food.
Is There Any Chance A Squirrel And Magpie Get Along?
They can share the same yard without trouble, especially when food is plentiful.
If you feed wildlife, spreading food across several spots can reduce squabbles. Remember that squirrels and magpies are wild animals, not pets.
Do Squirrels Eat Magpies?
Squirrels mostly eat nuts, seeds, fruit, buds and fungi. They sometimes eat insects and, occasionally, bird eggs or nestlings.
A squirrel eating an adult magpie is very unlikely. A magpie nest with eggs or chicks is the more likely target.
Do Magpies Eat Squirrels?
Magpies are omnivores. Audubon says black-billed magpies eat insects, carrion, rodents, and the eggs and young of other birds, plus berries, seeds and nuts.
A magpie might take a very young squirrel or feed on a dead one, but adult squirrels are not normal magpie prey.
Video Of A Magpie and Squirrel Fight
Below is a video of a magpie and a squirrel fighting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6\_Go8eseht0
Final Verdict
Squirrels and magpies fight mainly over food and nesting space. Most clashes are chases and scolding, and it's rare for either animal to seriously hurt or eat the other.
Sources
- Black-billed Magpie, National Audubon Society
- Great Horned Owl, National Audubon Society
