Introducing my resident Collared Dove - otherwise known as Super-Dove!! In this last week I have seen this dove dive bombing two magpies which are coming to my garden taking the liners from my old hanging baskets for their nest. This morning I was awakened at 5.30am by Finlay barking at the sound of a blackbird's alarm call. I looked out of my bedroom window to see this dove attacking one of the magpies and making it drop what was in his beak. Sadly when I went out I saw it was a baby blackbird which the magpie had killed. The brave dove had seen the magpie off - sadly too late for the chick. I have never seen this behaviour before - one bird defending another breed of bird from an attacker. I shall put some extra special food out for my little hero!!
@danette Thanks for stopping by Danette!! It was very strange to watch. I had always thought these doves were very shy birds but he put up a great fight against the magpie!!
Beautiful shot of this lovely bird. Good for him - I didn't know magpies would go for baby birds, but I know they can be the hooligans of the bird world sometimes.
@mercuria@yonnie@kittikat Many thanks for your comments. It was very sad to find the dead baby blackbird but I suppose its nature and thats what happens - seems very cruel though doesn't it to loose her baby like that!! I really don't like magpies!!
@swilde thanks Sue! I knew that magpies raided other birds nests. I have often heard blackbirds screaming out their alarm call and you find its a magpie in the tree where they are nesting.
love how he's looking after his patch!
Wonderful shot too - love his eye!