Magpie versus Bat (1 Viewer)

[DaveN]

Last night whilst at one of my regular birding spots, Carsington Water here in Derbyshire, I witnessed something quite incredible. I was standing there winding down for the day when I saw a Bat flying over the water around 15ft off shore.

It was cold, with a cool breeze, and there was a few spots of rain in the air. I looked at the time and it was 19.10 so still quite light. The Bat then attracted the attention of a Black-headed Gull and a Magpie, both of which started harassing the Bat. After a short while the Magpie caught the Bat mid-air. This was several feet above water and c15ft off shore.

The Magpie flew to the shingle bank with its quarry, pecked it a few times, then flew a bit further, pecked it a few more times and disappeared into the undergrowth.

I've twice before seen a Magpie catch and kill a bird. Once a LBJ was caught and killed, and once an adult Blackbird was killed.

Because Bats are generally creatures of the night and are not often in contact with birds I wonder if this has ever been documented before. It probably has, but it was certainly a new one on me.

As for what specie of Bat. I would guess at Daubenton's simply because it was flying over water and it was quite brown in colour. But it would just be a guess.

 

[BirdBoyBen]

I've known gulls to eat bats, but never known this of any crow sp. Catching one in mid air is incredible!

 

[delia todd]

What amazing behaviour to witness Dave. You've documented it so well too.

D

 

[Jon Turner]

Saw this happen on Exmoor many years ago, mid-afternoon, spring, no idea of the species. We were just thinking how lovely to see a bat out during the day. Should have stayed asleep!

 

[coal tit]

yes that is very interesting for you were lucky to witness such a account in the outdoors
you also mentioned that you had seen a adult blackbird dispatched on one occasion was
this during the winter months when food was scarce ? my father once told me that he had recorded a magpie catching mice or mouse on our property by the tail presumably to eat.

 

[DaveN]

Thanks for the replies, all. Ben, I think there's some footage on YouTube of a Herring Gull on a roof catching Bats as they come out of their roost.

Coal Tit. It wasn't in Winter when the Magpie killed the adult Blackbird. It was in spring. We theorised that the Blackbird was protecting young somewhere and was acting aggressively towards the Magpie. The Magpie then turned the tables and attacked and killed the Blackbird. The behaviour you describe doesn't surprise me at all. Corvids are opportunists and will exploit any food source that is readily available.