Eurasian Magpie

The Eurasian magpie, also known as the common magpie, is a striking and highly intelligent passerine bird widely distributed across the northern regions of the Palearctic. Belonging to the family Corvidae, which includes crows, ravens, and jays, it is one of the most familiar and culturally significant birds in Europe and parts of Asia. Renowned for its bold black-and-white plumage, long graduated tail, and complex behaviour, the Eurasian magpie has long attracted scientific, cultural, and popular attention.

Background and Classification

The Eurasian magpie is a member of the genus Pica, which comprises several closely related magpie species distributed across the Holarctic region. It forms part of the radiation of monochrome magpies characterised by predominantly black-and-white plumage. In Europe, the term “magpie” in common usage almost always refers to Pica pica, as it is the only widespread magpie species on the continent; the Iberian magpie (Cyanopica cooki) is geographically restricted and taxonomically distinct.
Although it shares a common name and superficial similarities with the Australian magpie, the two are not closely related. The Australian species belongs to a different family and represents a case of convergent naming rather than close evolutionary affinity.

Taxonomy and Systematics

The species was first formally described and illustrated in the mid-16th century by the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner in Historiae animalium. In 1758, Carl Linnaeus included the magpie in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, assigning it the binomial name Corvus pica. The bird was later placed in its own genus, Pica, by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. The generic name derives from the Classical Latin word pica, meaning magpie.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Eurasian magpie was considered conspecific with the North American black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia). Advances in behavioural and vocal studies, however, demonstrated clear differences, and in 2000 the American Ornithologists’ Union formally recognised them as separate species. Genetic research has further clarified relationships within the group, revealing regional differentiation across Eurasia and supporting the recognition of several closely allied species formerly treated as subspecies.

Subspecies and Related Species

The Eurasian magpie exhibits gradual geographical variation across its vast range, resulting in the recognition of multiple subspecies. The International Ornithological Congress currently recognises six subspecies, with variation evident in size, extent of white plumage, and the sheen of black feathers.
Recognised subspecies include:

• Pica pica pica: Found across the British Isles, southern Scandinavia, and much of continental Europe.
• Pica pica fennorum: Occurring in northern Scandinavia and north-western Russia.
• Pica pica melanotos: Confined to the Iberian Peninsula.
• Pica pica bactriana: Distributed from Siberia to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East.
• Pica pica leucoptera: Found in south-eastern Russia and north-eastern China.
• Pica pica camtschatica: Native to the Kamchatka Peninsula and surrounding regions.

Several forms once regarded as subspecies are now treated as distinct species, including the Maghreb magpie (Pica mauritanica), the Asir magpie (Pica asirensis), the Oriental magpie (Pica serica), and the black-rumped magpie (Pica bottanensis).

Physical Description

The Eurasian magpie is a medium-sized corvid, typically measuring around 44–46 cm in total length, more than half of which is accounted for by its long, graduated tail. The wingspan averages between 52 and 60 cm. Adult plumage is boldly patterned: the head, neck, breast, back, and tail are glossy black with iridescent green, blue, or violet reflections, while the belly and shoulder feathers are pure white.
The wings are black with a metallic sheen, and the flight feathers display white inner webs that are conspicuous in flight. Legs and bill are black, and the iris is dark brown. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are generally slightly smaller. Juveniles resemble adults but lack the strong iridescent gloss and have shorter tails and paler facial areas.

Distribution and Habitat

The Eurasian magpie occupies an extensive range across temperate Eurasia, from the Atlantic coasts of Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Britain to the Russian Far East and the Kamchatka Peninsula. It favours open landscapes with scattered trees, including farmland, woodland edges, river valleys, and scrubland. Dense forests and completely treeless areas are generally avoided.
The species has adapted well to human-altered environments and is increasingly common in suburban and urban areas, where it inhabits parks, gardens, and even city centres. Most populations are sedentary, remaining close to their breeding territories year-round, although birds at the northern edge of the range may move southwards during severe winters.

Behaviour and Ecology

Eurasian magpies are highly social and behaviourally complex birds. Outside the breeding season, they may form loose flocks, particularly among younger, non-breeding individuals. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, eggs, carrion, seeds, and human food waste, which contributes to their success in diverse habitats.
Breeding usually begins in spring. Magpies are monogamous, and pairs often remain together for multiple breeding seasons, occupying the same territory year after year. Courtship displays involve ritualised movements, including tail fanning, head feather raising, and soft vocalisations distinct from the bird’s typical chatter.
The nest is a large, domed structure made of sticks cemented with mud and lined with fine roots. It is usually placed high in a tree but may also be built in bushes or hedgerows where trees are scarce. A single clutch is typically laid in April and contains five or six eggs, though clutch size can vary considerably. Both parents participate in rearing the young.