Why do magpies hound domestic cats when they are non-aggressive?

You will see videos of magpies gingerly going up to domestic cats while they are resting and pecking them with their beaks. The birds keep a healthy distance between themselves and these passive and unaggressive cats until they approach.

Why do magpies hound domestic cats when they are non-aggressive? Screenshot.

They sneak up to the cat and peck them. They immediately retreat. They are aware of the danger. Their behaviour is based upon conflicting decisions. They want to protect their offspring proactively because this is the season for magpies to create kids! 

Note: This is a video from another website. Sometimes they are deleted at source which stops them working on this site. If that has happened, I apologise but I have no control over it.

---

But also they know that cats are dangerous to them and therefore it seems they are pulled in different directions. Their desire to protect their offspring overcomes the fear of cats. They get away with it because they are agile and clever. They circle and approach the cat. Compelled to tell the cat to piss off but fearful of retaliation.

However, I have seen a video of a magpie doing exactly the same thing and as he took off, about 4 feet in the air, the cat flew at him, grabbed him and killed him. Pecking at a resting, passive domestic cat is going to try their patience to the point where an end-of-life scenario can unfold.

Click on the link below to see a linked post on this and the video of a cat killing a magpie who bothered the cat. The poor magpie's offspring must have starved to death.

LINKED POST: Why do magpies harass cats and do they retaliate?

Cat kills pestering magpie.