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Magpie Pica pica

 
 

InCommon Magpie   CaGarsa   DaHusskade   DeElster   EsUrraca   Fiharakka   FrPie bavarde   ItGazza   NlEkster   NoSkjære   PtPega-rabuda   SvSkata   USBlack-billed Magpie   RuСорока

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European distribution
European distribution
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Identification

The Magpie with its immaculate black and white plumage and green and blue gloss, is an unmistakable bird. In flight it can be easily distinguished by its long-tailed profile.

Habitat

Breeds and winters in open areas with trees or bushes, in woods, parks, gardens and hedgerows.

Behaviour

According to folklore, Magpies gather to stage 'parliaments' in which a group of birds apparently 'decides' to expel one or more of the birds in their group. More likely this is the apparent outcome of one Magpie trying to muscle in to an area which is at the edge of the territories of several pairs. All the territory holders will move to defend their bit of land, so they seem to cluster around the intruder until eventually it is chased off. Birds which don't hold a territory often roost communally in winter when flocks of up to 200 may be seen, especially towards dusk.

Migration

A mainly sedentary bird.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Common

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Magpie

  14:50 20/10/05 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's 14:00 
  19:57 14/06/05 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   
  12:02 30/09/04 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's 11:00 
  10:59 09/04/04 Magpie Scilly St. Mary's 10:35 
  15:07 14/10/03 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   
  19:16 01/10/03 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   
  16:37 16/05/03 Magpie Scilly Bryher   
  11:18 13/03/03 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   
  17:55 12/03/03 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   
  20:50 11/11/02 Magpie Scilly St. Martin's   

hide section Most recent photos of Magpie (10)

show section European breeding populations (43)

show section Products featuring Magpie (12)

hide section External Links (1)

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob15490.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob15490.htm   BTO BirdFacts: MagpieEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (2)

New insight into the brains of birds New insight into the brains of birds New insight into the brains of birdsThursday 21st August 2008
Magpies show evidence of self-recognition, a trait only previously proven in mammalian species, proving that birds are smarter than previously thought.  read on read on
<i>British Birds</i>: 1942, vol. 36: pp 51-53 and 159-160  British Birds: 1942, vol. 36: pp 51-53 and 159-160  Webzine subscribers onlyThursday 24th April 2008
An identification controversy and an interesting item of bird behaviour.

BirdGuides webzine BirdGuides webzine

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