Species Profile
Magpie
Pica pica
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Eurasian Magpie, Common Magpie
Gallery
Appearance
The Magpie is a striking bird with distinctive black and white plumage. Its head, neck, breast, and back are glossy black, contrasting sharply with the white belly and shoulder patches. The long tail and wings display an iridescent blue-green sheen in sunlight.
Both sexes look alike, although females are usually slightly smaller than males. Juveniles have a duller appearance, lacking the adults' glossy sheen and showing a shorter, less graduated tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Magpies are widely distributed across Europe, parts of North Africa, and Asia. They thrive in various habitats, including open woodland, farmland, parks, and urban areas. These adaptable birds are particularly common in human-modified landscapes.
In the UK, Magpies are resident year-round and can be found throughout England, Wales, and much of Scotland. They are less common in the northern parts of Scotland and some offshore islands.
Where and when to see it
How often the Magpie turns up in the UK and Ireland through the year, from birdwatchers' records.
United Kingdom
Resident · all year · most records in December
Ireland
Resident · all year · most records in December
Show as a table
| Month | United Kingdom | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.8% (regular) | 2.6% (regular) |
| February | 2.8% (regular) | 2.5% (regular) |
| March | 2.7% (regular) | 2.7% (regular) |
| April | 2.3% (regular) | 2.5% (regular) |
| May | 2.1% (regular) | 2.4% (regular) |
| June | 2.3% (regular) | 2.5% (regular) |
| July | 2.3% (regular) | 2.3% (regular) |
| August | 2.3% (regular) | 2.1% (regular) |
| September | 2.4% (regular) | 2.3% (regular) |
| October | 2.5% (regular) | 2.6% (regular) |
| November | 2.8% (regular) | 2.7% (regular) |
| December | 3.0% (regular) | 2.7% (regular) |
Recorded regularly in
Worldwide: recorded regularly in 64 countries
Countries where it was recorded in at least 3 of the 6 years 2019–2024. Linked countries have their own bird list.
Europe (46)
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Jersey
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Asia (18)
- Afghanistan
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- China
- Cyprus
- Georgia
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Mongolia
- Pakistan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made
Diet
Magpies are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes various items such as insects, small mammals, birds' eggs, nestlings, seeds, and fruits. They also scavenge carrion and human food scraps in urban areas, showcasing their adaptability to different food sources.
Magpies almost always find their food on the ground, although they also raid nests and occasionally catch flying prey.
In times of plenty, Magpies exhibit a fascinating behaviour known as caching. They will bury excess food around their territory so they have something to eat when pickings are slim.
Behaviour
Magpies are highly intelligent and social birds. They are often seen in pairs or small family groups. They are known for their bold and curious natures and frequently approach human settlements.
These birds have a distinctive bouncing gait when walking on the ground and are skilled flyers, capable of swift, direct flight interspersed with glides.
Magpies are known to act aggressively toward other birds like Gulls and Sparrowhawks, and they will even harass other animals like squirrels at times. They can also dominate other birds at the bird table, especially if meaty foods are on offer.
Calls & Sounds
Magpies have a wide repertoire of vocalisations. Their most common call is a loud, harsh chattering 'chack-chack' or 'chacker'.
They also produce a variety of softer warbles and whistles, particularly during courtship. In flight, Magpies often give a rapid series of short, sharp calls.
- Song and calls0:00 / 1:22
Recorded in Pays de la Loire, France · May 2026
- Call0:00 / 0:43
Recorded in Normandie, France · June 2023
Nesting & Breeding
Magpies typically form monogamous pairs and breed once a year. The breeding season usually begins in late March or early April. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including tail-fanning and bowing, to attract females.
Nests are large, domed structures made of twigs, often with a mud cup, lined with softer materials. They are usually built high in trees or tall bushes. Females lay 5-8 pale blue-green eggs with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 21-22 days, primarily carried out by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 26-30 days but remain dependent on the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation
Magpies are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to their large range and stable population. However, they face threats from habitat loss and persecution in some areas due to misconceptions about their impact on other bird species.
Conservation efforts focus on public education and habitat preservation.
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Adult Magpies have few natural predators, but their eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to cats, foxes, and birds of prey such as Goshawks and Sparrowhawks.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Magpies in open woodland, parks, and gardens
- Listen for their distinctive chattering call
- Observe their bold behaviour around human settlements
- Watch for their characteristic tail-wagging when perched
- At times, the species gather in noisy flocks of 5-25 birds, known as magpie parliaments. In winter, it may roost in even larger flocks that can contain over 300 birds.
- In the UK, participate in the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch to contribute to Magpie population data
Did You Know?
- Magpies are among the most intelligent birds, capable of recognising themselves in mirrors.
- They are known to hold 'funerals' for their dead, gathering around fallen comrades.
- Contrary to popular belief, Magpies are not particularly attracted to shiny objects.
- Magpies’ feet have three toes pointing toward and one point pointing backwards; this gives them an uneven, jerky motion when walking.
Community Photos
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