ExploreBird

Eurasian Magpie

Pica pica

The Eurasian Magpie is a playful bird with beautiful black and white feathers. They are known for their cleverness and love to collect shiny objects!

Habitat: Open fields, forests, and urban areas

Appearance

The Eurasian Magpie is a striking bird with glossy black and white plumage. Its long tail and wing feathers shimmer with iridescent blues, greens, and purples in the sunlight. It's easily identified by its contrasting colours and distinct silhouette.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCorvidaeGenusPica

Eurasian Magpie

Interesting facts

Magpies have funeral-like gatherings for deceased magpies.

Magpies will build 'dummy' nests to confuse predators!

They are one of the smartest animals on the planet!

They recognize individual human faces, even after long periods.

Special abilities

Eurasian Magpie builds large, domed nests with a thorny roof, which helps protect their eggs and chicks from predators.

Eurasian Magpie has shown self-recognition in mirror tests, which suggests advanced cognitive abilities and self-awareness.

Measurements & details

Length: 44-51 cm
Wingspan: 52-62 cm
Weight: 0.18-0.25 kg
Lifespan: 3-15 years
Top Speed: 58 km/h
Clutch Size: 5-8
Incubation: 17-24 days

Diet & Feeding

Magpies eat almost anything, from insects and seeds to eggs and small animals!

Primary Foods

Insects
Seeds
Berries
Carrion
Eggs
Small mammals

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Bubo bubo

Chicks and eggs are often prey for owls.

eaten by

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Adult magpies can be hunted by this powerful raptor.

eats

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Magpies forage for these insects in gardens.

eats

House Mouse

Mus musculus

They will hunt small rodents in fields.

shelters

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Magpies often build their large nests in robust oak trees.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Tool Use

Discover amazing animals that cleverly use objects from their environment to help them find food, build homes, or protect themselves. They're nature's clever inventors!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!