Cannibal Blackbirds

Fysherman

Is it normal behaviour for Blackbirds to scrag the nests of House Sparrows, drag out the eggs and eat them? That was a few weeks ago. I have just chased off a Blackbird that appeared to be trying to get at the young of other sparow's in different nests in
the same hedge. I have never sen this behaviour before.

I posted this on another forum but no one seemed to know the answer.

ValDa

There doesn't seem to be any mention of this happening on 'Google'.  Perhaps it might be a good question to send in for Chris Packham and the 'Springwatch' team for their next show - they do pick up some interesting topics.

 

Fysherman

Thanks Valda, always a pleasure to hear from you.

To be honest, I am not a fan of Mr, Packham. I know there are some experts on birds on the forum (birderbillie?) and i am hoping it's just a matter of time before someone spots the post. In the meantime, I am still chasing off these terrorist Blackbirds from the Sparow nests but I wonder if I am doing the right thing. I cannot watch them 24/7 and if this is normal behaviour then what right have I to interfere with nature.

We have (I think) 3 or 4 families of Sparrows (that are supposed to be endangered) making about 15 (I am guessing) individual birds in the front garden and a family of Blackbirds in the back. I have often chased off Magpies from both gardens but watching Blackbirds behaving in exactly the same way is something I have not seen before.

ValDa

It's a strange one, isn't it.  Perhaps you're watching evolution as it happens.................  Not a pleasant thought, though, cannibal blackbirds!!

Fysherman

It's true I have more time to notice such things now that I am retired but this is weird.

Wherenext

In over 40 years of watching birds I have never seen or heard of this. A disturbing tale indeed. Did the Sparrows build their nest in one of the blackbirds old nests?

I have seen Crows, Jays, Magpies and Woodpeckers predating other birds nests and young but I must admit that this is a new one on me.

Fysherman

Thanks for your input Wherenext.

No, the Sparrows are in the front garden and built their own nests in a very large spikey bush. The Blackbirds are more established in a big leylandi hedge at the back. For some years they seemed to just go about their own business and it's ben a joy to watch them pair up and do what birds do. The sparrows seem to like to do it on full view!

I was horrified to see sparrow eggs on my lawn broken. I assumed a crow or Magpie had got into the bush somehow then I watched a Blackbird hop under the bush and climb inside coming out with an egg. All the sparrows were going beserk which is what made me notice (actually I thought there was a cat about).

Now I am watching several male Blackbirds harrassing the sparrows and trying  to break into the bush to get at their young. It really is beginning to freak me out!

Wherenext

You might want to try posting this on the RSPB thread and see if they can give any advice.

Fysherman

I might just do that thanks, but if anyone else on here is a birder (I think thats the new term for a birdwatcher) feel free to offer an opinion.

Pitva

Not sure a Blackbirds beak would handle an egg - don't mean to offend but could it be that it's Jackdaws to blame and not Blackbirds?

Fysherman

Not sure a Blackbirds beak would handle an egg - don't mean to offend but could it be that it's Jackdaws to blame and not Blackbirds?

I watched the Blackbird do it. It is very strange.

RSPB

Thanks for your input Wherenext.

No, the Sparrows are in the front garden and built their own nests in a very large spikey bush. The Blackbirds are more established in a big leylandi hedge at the back. For some years they seemed to just go about their own business and it's ben a joy to
watch them pair up and do what birds do. The sparrows seem to like to do it on full view!

I was horrified to see sparrow eggs on my lawn broken. I assumed a crow or Magpie had got into the bush somehow then I watched a Blackbird hop under the bush and climb inside coming out with an egg. All the sparrows were going beserk which is what made me
notice (actually I thought there was a cat about).

Now I am watching several male Blackbirds harrassing the sparrows and trying  to break into the bush to get at their young. It really is beginning to freak me out!

Hi Fysherman,

Perhaps we could help? I've discussed this with a number of my colleagues and the consensus is that this is not normal blackbird behaviour.

It does however, sound very much like it could be a flock of jackdaw. To quote from the RSPB bird handbook, jackdaws "Eats insects and other invertebrates, grain, seeds, fruits & berries, eggs and young birds." Jackdaws aren't much bigger than a blackbird
and could easily be confused, they also tend to flock in groups, something which blackbirds explicitly haven't been observed doing (they tend to pair, but that's about it).

Do any of the birds you've seen have orange coloured beaks? A jackdaw wouldn't, but a blackbird would have. Jackdaw's also tend to have a greyish hood.

I'm told that the sort of behaviour you describe is quite common amongst jackdaws in urban areas.

Fysherman

Hi thanks for the reply. 

It was a Blackbird. I watched it gobsmacked. I am a countryman and even had a rookery in the trees in my parents garden that also had Jackdaws so I know something about crows. 

That is what concerned me, was I witnessing something new in thisbehaviour?  It seems so.

Itjust seems so wrong for Blackbirds to do this.

Sorryfor the typos I am doing this on a smartphone and I have fat fingers