Leiston postman ambushed by cheeky magpie who insists on helping deliver letters

A Suffolk postman has captured the efforts of a cheeky magpie in an adorable video where he helps him deliver letters in Leiston.

Postie Rob caught the bird on camera using its beak to pick up a first class-stamped envelope when he was doing his rounds last week. The magpie struggled to ind the right address as he was pursued by the Royal Mail employee, who seemed utterly bemused by its actions. Our fearless postmen and women work year-round and see some strange things, but it’s highly unusual for animals to try their hand at the job.

The minute-long footage begins with a shot of the friendly magpie perched innocently on top of the postman’s red trolley, which is used to transport mail around Leiston. The bird pecks away curiously as letters and parcels, with postman Rob trying his best to shoo it away, but getting firmly rebuffed.

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He says: “Excuse me, hello? What do you think you’re doing? Shoo! You’re going to get me in trouble, go on, go away.” The stubborn magpie holds its ground and eventually gets an offer from Rob to “ride” on his electronic trolley to the next address on his delivery list. The bird appears to be unphased by the movement of the trolley, or Rob speaking to it, and tries to pick up the white envelope sitting on top of the mail pile.

Hesitantly, Rob says: “The thing is, I need the letter you’re perched on, I’ve got to deliver that. Can I just have that please?” But the magpie retaliates with a peck as the postie tries to pick up the letter – and instead grabs the mail itself and runs for it. Rob chases after the bird as it dashes towards the next address and says: “Give me that back, give it here! Now that’s naughty.”

Finally, the bird gives in and drops the letter, letting Rob complete the delivery and fluttering over to a nearby house window ledge to watch from the sidelines. The postie then walks away from his unwanted sidekick, muttering: “Dear, Dear. Honestly.”