By Amsterdam
Shropshire,
United Kingdom 
Beheaded blackbird chick found in garden. Culprit cat or magpie? Have been watching family of blackbirds using my garden as a nursery to raise their chicks and had notices a few clashes between the blackbird parents and nearby magpies pestering them. I think it was one of the magpies that ripped the head off one of the blackbird chicks. Am I right?
18 May, 2016
Answers
Magpies, crows are always a danger to young birds, saw a crow take a coot chick, just flew by and swept it up.....
Suppose they have young to feed too ?
18 May, 2016
I think it could be just as likely a cat. We have a young cat who is repeatedly being back going chicks and dropping them outside the door in all sorts of states. I've tried collar with bells but the cat is so scared of the bell it freezes. Literally freezes until it's taken off. I guess it's part of nature itself. Though the cat will climb a stupidly high tree just to get to the chicks. Good luck to the remaining black birds.
18 May, 2016
I agree with Future_Green, a cat will kill for fun while a magpie would have probably taken the bird away to feed its own young or eat it itself
18 May, 2016
Put the bell back on, Future green - the cat will adjust, but you may need to wait a few weeks to do it if the cat's under 3 months.
18 May, 2016
Probably, they are cruel birds where chicks are concerned.
18 May, 2016