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
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.

Shelter

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Magpies often build their large nests in robust oak trees.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Tool Use

This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

Common Magpie

Collections

Birds

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Magpies are generally safe to watch, but it's best to observe them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Eurasian Magpie?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Eurasian Magpie?

44-51 cm

What is Eurasian Magpie's wingspan?

52-62 cm

How much does Eurasian Magpie weigh?

0.18-0.25 kg

How long does Eurasian Magpie live?

3-15 years

How fast can Eurasian Magpie move?

58 km/h

What does Eurasian Magpie eat?

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