What is a Magpie? You’re probably thinking of a pie or fancy dessert. As a fact the Magpie is actually a bird. Although this bird is not a dessert it has a creamy coat, and a toasty body. It has a beautiful white chest and black surrounding its body. Depending on the type it may or may not have a bright red, green, purple, or other colored tail and sometimes wings.

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The Magpie/Pica Pica is a close relative to the crow.  It has highly distinguishable black and white feathers which make it stand out. A magpie will normally also have a glossy tail in the color green or blue. They may also have this on their wings. The Magpie usually has a long tail and males have longer tails than females. Often a Magpies voice will be very harsh voice letting out an alarm like sound. Mag means to chatter or yell and was put with pie meaning its colors in the 16th century. There are thought to be around 15 different species of magpie spread across Europe, Asia and parts of Australia and Africa. The magpie is generally around 50 cm long with a slightly larger wingspan, although the exact size of the magpie is dependent on the magpie species.  

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Magpie have been found normally to occur throughout Europe, Asia, reaching as far as the Mediterranean and Himalayas. No threats have been made against the species but government provides general protection under the wildlife and countryside act since 1981 and if given a permit a person can shoot one. It is also illegal to approach an occupied nest. These bids are not endangered but could be if government refuses to further protect them. These birds are now an easy target because they are pretty much found on 3 quarters of the globe. They are mainly found in the woods or grassy areas.

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Magpies are noted to be highly intelligent birds and are often able to sense approaching danger relatively quickly. Magpies are known to be dominant and curious birds but are relatively secretive when they feel they are in danger. Magpies are also known to mimic the calls of other birds and have fully taken advantage of new food sources created by the presence of humans. They normally eat nuts, fruit, seeds and insects. They hide from foxes, wild cats, and coyotes because they are the biggest fears. Depending on the clutch size they may live longer. The normal clutch size is 3 and if lived a full life it can be 8-15 years old. Like always males live longer. They are about 16-18 inches each and that’s kind of big for a small bird. They weigh up to 7oz-9oz each too.

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There are thought to be around 15 different species of magpie spread across Europe, Asia and parts of Australia and Africa. The magpie is generally around 50 cm long with a slightly larger wingspan, although the exact size of the magpie is dependent on the magpie species. In China and Korea, the magpie is seen as a symbol of good luck and good fortune. In the United Kingdom however, one magpie is said to be bad luck and seeing two is good luck (one for sorrow, two for joy).

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Magpies mate for life and mating partners are usually together for their entire lives. Magpies mate in the spring time when the weather begins to get warmer and build large nests in the trees. The female magpie lays up to 8 eggs (usually around 5), which are a surprisingly small size in comparison to the size of the magpie itself. The magpie chicks hatch out of their eggs after an incubation period of around 3 weeks, and the magpie chicks are normally able to fly when they are between 3 and 4 weeks old.

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The Magpie may sound like a dessert but despite its name it is a rather amazing bird. Its beautiful feather coat and resemblance to crows should live on.

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Author:  Hailey B
Published: 02/2014