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Eurasian magpie (Pica pica)

Widespread black-and-white corvid of Europe, Asia and North Africa, notable for its long tail, iridescent plumage, problem-solving intelligence, adaptable diet, and rich cultural meanings.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: September 7, 2021 Last updated: June 3, 2026

The Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) is a familiar corvid found across much of Europe, large parts of Asia and into northern Africa. Easily recognized by its stark black-and-white plumage and an unusually long, graduated tail, the species is highly adaptable and commonly occurs in human-altered landscapes such as towns, farmland and parks. Its combination of conspicuous appearance and bold behaviour has made it one of the best-known members of the crow family.

Identification and physical characteristics

Adult Eurasian magpies show a clear contrast between white flanks and belly and glossy black head, back and chest. The black feathers on the wings and tail often show iridescent blue or green reflections in good light. The tail is long relative to body length and is a distinctive feature that accentuates the bird’s silhouette in flight. Juveniles resemble adults but are generally duller and less glossy. The species is a medium-sized passerine with strong legs and a stout bill adapted for an omnivorous diet.

Distribution, habitat and ecology

Pica pica occupies a broad range of temperate habitats: open woodlands, parkland, agricultural mosaics, hedgerow country and urban edges. It tends to favour areas with scattered trees and shrubs for nesting and roosting, while benefiting from open ground for foraging. The species’ wide ecological tolerance has allowed it to thrive in many regions where people have altered the landscape.

Magpies are highly intelligent and behaviorally flexible. They forage widely for invertebrates, small vertebrates, carrion, seeds and fruit, and will sometimes take eggs or nestlings. Their problem-solving skills, memory for cached food and social learning are well documented among corvids. Notably, the Eurasian magpie has been cited in research on self-recognition using mirrors and is one of the few non-mammalian species reported to show behaviours consistent with mirror self-recognition. Magpies commonly form loose family groups outside the breeding season and may defend territories or food resources vigorously.

Breeding and life history

Magpies build substantial nests, often described as domed or roofed structures made of twigs and lined with softer materials. Nests are usually placed in dense trees or large shrubs. Pairs typically raise a single brood each year; both parents care for the young, and juveniles may remain with parents for weeks after fledging. Breeding success and timing vary with local conditions and food availability.

Taxonomy and similar species

The Eurasian magpie belongs to the genus Pica, which includes several closely related magpie species distributed across Eurasia and North America. Taxonomic treatments vary: some authorities recognize regional populations as separate species, while others retain them as subspecies of P. pica. In North America, the closely related Hudsonian magpie (often treated as Pica hudsonia) shares many habits but differs in details of plumage and distribution.

Human interactions, cultural significance and conservation

Magpies have a long and varied place in human culture. In many parts of Europe they feature in folklore and superstitions—sometimes as omens of misfortune—while in several East Asian traditions they are viewed positively as symbols of good luck or joyful news. The bird’s boldness and occasional habit of taking small shiny objects have fed myths about thievery, and it appears in nursery rhymes and proverbs. Ecologically, magpies can affect local bird communities by preying on eggs and nestlings, which has led to conflict with gamekeepers and some persecution in agricultural areas. Overall, however, the Eurasian magpie is widespread and generally abundant; it is not considered globally threatened although local populations can be influenced by habitat change and human attitudes.

Key traits: black-and-white plumage, iridescent wings/tail, long tail, adaptable omnivorous diet.
Notable behaviour: complex social interactions, caching, problem-solving and reported mirror self-recognition.
Conservation status: widespread and common across most of its range; local declines or persecution occur in places.

Description

The basic colors of magpies of the nominal form are black and white. The tail is stepped and often as long as the rest of the body, but in any case longer than the wings. The belly, flanks and shoulders are white, and the hand wings are also predominantly white. The rest of the plumage is black with a metallic sheen. The tail feathers and the outer plumes of the wing feathers shimmer metallic green, blue or purple at close range, depending on the light conditions. In spring, the colors become duller and less iridescent. They are almost completely lost on the outer plumes of the hand feathers. Birds several years old, especially the males, are most iridescent shortly after molting. Male and female magpies do not differ externally, but males are slightly heavier than females, averaging 233 g (203 g). Magpies can reach a body length of about 46 cm, the wingspan is about 48-53 cm.

Young magpies, which have a bright red throat, are colored almost the same as adults, the differences are very small. The tail is lacklustre and shorter. The outer shoulder feathers are often not pure white, but somewhat gray. The white areas on the inner plumes of the outer handwings do not extend as far to the feather tip as in adult magpies. The arm wings show blue sheen only in the central area. The outermost arm wing almost always bears a white patch, sometimes also the second or the third feather following it.

Their molt annual magpies begin a little earlier than perennial birds. They change the whole plumage. In Europe, annual and perennial birds start moulting in June, fledged birds in July at the earliest, at the latest at the end of August.

The locomotion of the magpie on the ground is mostly hopping. However, it is also able to walk. The magpie moves very skillfully in the branches of trees. It has an undulating fluttering flight.

Voice

The magpie most frequently lets the "Schackern" or "Schäckern" be heard. It consists of more or less quickly successive call series with slightly croaking "schäck-schäck-schäck". The "Schäckern" is a warning and alarm call and serves to defend the territory. Non-breeding magpies use it only when danger threatens. The excitement of the animals is especially great when the chaffing is fast and choppy. Thus, they face danger when they chatter slowly, but flee when they call quickly.

To consolidate the partnership, couples let you hear a quiet chatter. This varies greatly in time and individually. It can be rhythmic as well as arhythmic. It often includes soft trills and high-pitched whistling. Individual birds imitate other animals. Mostly, however, the song consists of a gurgling, ventriloquistic chatter with whistling sounds.

To mark their territory, pairs make a call that sounds like "kia", "kjää" or "kik". They often show themselves in the middle of the territory on the highest branches of a tree.

Nestlings beg with a high-pitched screeching "twiit". Three to four-week-old fledglings announce themselves to the adults with a two-syllable call. It sounds like "jschiejäk", "tschjuk" or "tschjuk-juk". The contact call of the female resembles the site call of the young birds.

Often the magpie also gives a long drawn "tschark" "tschirk" "tschirrl" or "tschara" from itself. Depending on the intonation (soft, hard, long, short) this call has different meanings. In addition, the magpie can also make nasal and stretched sounds such as "gräh" heard.

Urs N. Glutz von Blotzheim does not exclude the fact that free-living magpies sometimes imitate foreign bird species, but this is neither the rule nor completely certain; Glutz von Blotzheim formulates vaguely: "Some individuals also incorporate vocalizations that sound like imitations (e.g. starling, song thrush, grasshopper chirps)".

Author

AlegsaOnline.com - Eurasian magpie - Leandro Alegsa

Creation date: September 7, 2021
Last updated: June 3, 2026

URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/32616