The magpie really doesn't have it easy, as it has the reputation of being the most thieving of all birds. However, this claim is not completely unjustified, because magpies not only steal everything that sparkles and glitter, but also target the eggs of foreign birds. Even a nesting box sometimes does not provide enough protection to deter nest robbers. However, with a few measures you can protect your nesting birds from the predator.
How to protect a nesting box from magpies?
To protect a nesting box from magpies, you can scare the magpie away, make changes to the location or choose a small entrance hole. This makes it more difficult for the predator to access the breeding birds and protects their offspring.
Measures
Three simple measures will drive a magpie out of the garden or at least make it more difficult to get to the nesting box. Unfortunately, these methods have both advantages and disadvantages.
- scare away the magpie
- Make changes to the location
- choose a small entrance hole
Scare away the magpie
If a magpie attacks the breeding birds in your nesting box, you will certainly take notice. The worried mother bird draws attention to herself with loud nagging and tries to scare the troublemaker away. Rush to her aid and drive away the nest robber as well. Of course, this method is very strenuous and is only successful if you are on site when an attack occurs. Tip: Use a water gun (€8.00 on Amazon) to scare the bird away.
Changes unsettle magpies
Like many animals, magpies are habitual creatures. As a rule, birds instinctively hide their nests in dense branches, but once the nest robber has found this hiding place, he comes back to it every time. Here too, you can support the breeding birds by, for example, planting a bush in front of the nesting box. Changing the location of the nest box is not recommended during the breeding season.
Choose a small entrance hole
In size comparison, the magpie is clearly superior to small tits, which gives it an advantage. Turn the tables by choosing a small entry hole. Then the big bird has little chance of reaching the young birds.
