A unique nest built of metal rods by a pair of magpies has been removed after the birds and their chicks flew away to start a new life.
The nest was discovered in February in Yan Ching Street, Tuen Mun, when residents found about 40 of the metal rods - some up to 30cm long and more than 1cm in diameter - that had fallen from the tree.
Inspectors from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department found the metal rods constituted a third of the material in the nest, which was 15 metres up in the tree.
Cheung Ho-fai, chairman of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, said it was the first time he had heard of a nest being built with pieces of metal. He said the magpies might have mistaken the metal rods for wood or used them because of a lack of natural materials in the area.
The department also said earlier that it was believed the birds might have collected the metal rods from a nearby construction site.
A spokesman for the department said yesterday the nest had been removed recently as it was believed it was no longer being used.
Since the nest was found, the department had closely monitored its condition and the living pattern of the birds. Staff saw that at least two chicks were born and were looked after by their parents while they learned to fly around the nest.