This behaviour is called kleptoparasitism. Red kites were persecuted for centuries and are exceptionally wary of landing on the ground. But by waiting for the highly intelligent, bold magpie to safely feed first, the kite effectively verifies that the food isn't poisoned and that no hidden predators, traps, or... humans are waiting in ambush. Once the magpie deems it safe, the kite swoops down to usurp the food using its superior size. The kite using the magpie this way is interspecific: Stealing between different species. Kleptoparasitism is heavily linked to high intelligence and cognitive flexibility. So it's no surprise that our clever, adaptable hedgehogs also use it. Hedgehogs use intraspecific kleptoparasitism (stealing from members of the same species), by stealth, rather than the kite's scramble method. Many of you will have seen and filmed this - one hedgehog stealing bedding from another's house, to line his own. 😊(this always makes me smile). This stealing, instead of having to search and forage the nesting materials for themselves, saves the hedgehogs so much time and energy, therefore boosting their survival chances. So leaving a pile of hay beside your hedgehog's house (protected from the weather inside a large flowerpot or bucket laid on its side) will help everyone.❤️show more

I love this footage. It’s the game of survival of the fittest out there for our precious wildlife. No Supermarkets or Pet Superstores for wildlife, they have their own rules & implement them in order to stay alive. I’m so thankful for the reintroduction of Red Kites, aren’t they just the most majestic birds. Thank you so much for sharing this. Our local magpies are not going to be happy when our hedgehog feeding station arrives, they turn up every morning to clear up all the bits the hedgehogs left overnight & I worry greatly about cross contamination.

Oh I agree entirely! The reintroduction of Kites was one of a tiny handful of true success stories. I'll never forget the sight, 25 years ago, of a black blob so high in the sky, but with that distinctive forked tail, and being so excited thinking: Kites! Kites have made it down to Hampshire!😍 Don't worry about the magpies - once you have your feeding station you can just chuck the leftovers out for them, when you clean the dishes each morning.😋 That's what I do. All the leftover food from all the pens and feeders go into one dish in the morning, which is then put out for the birds. It's usually the starlings that get there first, of course.😁

How interesting thank you 🙏☺️

You’re very welcome. 🥰

Truly amazing.

Isn’t it just?😍There’s always something new to surprise and delight you with our wonderful wildlife.

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Hehe! Brilliant, Barbara. 😁

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I’ve never head of this before. Thank you

You’re very welcome. I love that you enjoy watching their behaviour too.

They’ll be going in to hibernation soon won’t they? I’m going to miss them 😞

Yes, they have already started all over the country. Even here, darling Anya who gave birth here has decided to stay in the winter cabin and has started hibernation already.

I’ll miss them but then I’ll have the joy of seeing them come back 😊

Oh yes, seeing the first hedgehog out of hibernation is always a joyful and exciting moment. 🥳

Wow isn't that fantastic, such beautiful birds to watch. Such fascinating facts you give us, thank you.🤗 Vx❤️

Oh, I love that you feel that way too, Valerie. ❤️🤗 They are such magnificent birds, and such incredible flyers, I am always stunned and amazed to watch them, even after all these years.😍

Yes they are wonderful to watch in flight, just gliding about. 😊 I'd like to do that 😁Vx

Oh me too!😁 They hardly ever flap their wings, just glide about on the thermals. xx

A magpie swooped & seized a mouse in my garden last week - they are mini birds of prey Lost a clutch of ducklings in a wild swoop once- they take nestlings- not on good terms with them - though didn't object to mouse seizure!

Aw, they are just trying to live and feed their family, just as we all are.😊 This is so natural, and the reason why animals have a whole brood, as some will make food for other animals. And magpies are such incredibly smart birds. Did you know that they are self aware? They pass the mirror self-recognition test - an ability shared by very few animals outside of great apes, dolphins, elephants, and us humans. And they recognise our faces, and remember who treated them well, or who treated them badly. But what I find so endearing is that not only do they mate for life, they have friends. And their friends help them solve puzzles to get food, and when one dies, all the others gather around the body and make loud, crying calls of grief and mourning. They are very special animals.🥰

I love these facts, I had never heard of this word before but it makes sense when it is explained🦔

It’s amazing behaviour to witness isn’t it?🥰

Yes♥️

The wonders of the skies. How beautiful. And to see the hog trotting around making the bed, adorable 🥰

Yes, our wonderful wildlife are a constant source of entertainment and joy. And trail cameras are such a brilliant invention.😍

I agree, a beautiful sight to see, and the invention of the trail camera capturing their wonderful antics. Thank you for giving us the insight to see the wonders 🦅🦔 😍😍

Oh you are more than welcome.🥰

Bless you Pauly 🥰✨

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very clever 😎❤️

Isn't it just? Lovely to see their thoughts in action.😊

I always think that Red Kites are effectively huge Starlings

Really? Why is that?

They have very similar behaviours that they are effectively scavengers, as you allude in your post

Wow, I did not know that! Thanks for educating us!

You’re so welcome, I’m glad you find it as interesting as I do.🥰

How interesting. I never knew that.

It is very interesting seeing animals think this way.😊

It is - they're so much cleverer than we give them credit for. Humans on the other hand - with all their brains and capacity - show themselves frequently to be remarkably stupid.

Have you ever seen the magpies take food and bury it around the garden. Similar to a squirrel, even stamps on gound after to no trace. Not sure if they ever retrieve it again..🤔

😁They are so intelligent! I regularly see a magpie drag a chicken wing I put out for the kites, under a bush, and then check to make sure it can't be seen from the air. 😊

That's fabulous and really quite funny too, I never knew that hedgehogs did that!

It is absolutely adorable, and so endearing to watch.😍

Fascinating. It comes from Klevo meaning theft in Greenk. Used in English words like Kleptomania

Yes, almost.😊 In Greek, klevo means thief, whereas kleptes is the verb, meaning to steal (as in kleptomaniac). The term combines the Greek word kleptes with parasitism.

My favourite cider

Apple thief!😁

Amazing. Thank you.

I study a kind of bee here in Brazil that is a kleptoparasite, too. Fascinating and beautiful bees. :)