# 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! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Open fields, forests, and urban areas - **Also known as:** Common Magpie ![Eurasian Magpie](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424730/objects/4567.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Pica ## 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 - **Master Nest Builder:** Eurasian Magpie builds large, domed nests with a thorny roof, which helps protect their eggs and chicks from predators. - **Reflective Intellect:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Chicks and eggs are often prey for owls. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Goshawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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! ### Where is Eurasian Magpie usually found? Open fields, forests, and urban areas ## Where to spot - [Woburn Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woburn-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Zoo Dortmund](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-dortmund) — North Rhine-Westphalia, DE · Zoo - [Madrid Zoo Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madrid-zoo-aquarium) — Spain, ES · Aquarium - [Ranuan Eläinpuisto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ranuan-el-inpuisto) — Lapland, FI · Zoo - [Drusillas Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drusillas-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [London Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/london-aquarium) — England, GB · Aquarium [View all places to see Eurasian Magpie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-magpie) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Magpie: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-magpie)