Magpie
Pica pica
Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.
The Eurasian magpie is a long-tailed member of the crow family. Black-and-white plumage flashes blue and green in strong light, and its chattering call often reveals it nearby.
At a glance
- Habitat
- Temperate forest, Grassland, Towns and cities
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Food
- A varied mixture of plant and animal foods.
Classification
- Common name
- Magpie
- Browse group
- Birds
- Scientific name or taxon
- Pica pica
- Taxon rank
- species
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Pica
- Source classification
- Aves
Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.
Three things to know
- Dark feathers can show metallic colours.
- Its diet includes both scavenged and hunted food.
- Many birds remain near their home area.
Habitat and range
Eurasian magpies occur across Europe and parts of Asia, using open landscapes with trees as well as parks and towns. Other regional magpies formerly combined under Pica pica are treated separately by the Cornell account.
Appearance and adaptations
A long graduated tail and bold pale body patches make the bird conspicuous. Dark wings can gleam metallic blue, while the tail often shows a green sheen.
Diet and behaviour
These opportunistic omnivores search the ground for food, scavenge carrion and sometimes raid other birds’ nests. Non-breeders can gather in flocks, while many individuals remain close to where they were raised.
Sources
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