Wildlife
Magpies are jacks of all trades: scavengers, predators and cheeky thieves. They famously cannot resist a bit of bling, and regularly take brightly coloured objects from the garden, which makes them unpopular.
Occurring throughout Europe and as far south as the Mediterranean, they are sociable birds that roost together and, in spring, gather in ‘magpie parliaments’ where unpaired birds look for mates. There are many folk stories involving magpies, and they were once thought to be in league with the devil.
All you need to know about British birds.
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Harassment
A magpie can't help but be annoying to a neighbouring kestrel.
A magpie can't help but be annoying to a neighbouring kestrel.
Birds of superstition
Magpies are the victims of bad press and misplaced blame.
Magpies are the victims of bad press and misplaced blame.
Maligned magpies
Though branded as babykillers, magpies are innocent of causing a garden bird decline.
Though branded as babykillers, magpies are innocent of causing a garden bird decline.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Magpie can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Mediterranean, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Magpie distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Eurasian Magpie, European Magpie, or Common Magpie (Pica pica) is a resident breeding bird throughout Europe, much of Asia and northwest Africa. It is one of several birds in the crow family named as magpies, and belongs to the Holarctic radiation of "monochrome" magpies. In Europe, "Magpie" is used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie; it is the only magpie in Europe outside the Iberian Peninsula.
The Eurasian Magpie is one of the most intelligent birds, and it is believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals. The expansion of its nidopallium is approximately the same in its relative size as is found in chimpanzees, orangutans and humans.
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Garden birds
Nestcam close-ups, expert identification guides and specialist wildlife cameras give a privileged view of a very British obsession: garden birds.
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Oak wood
Farmland
Brownfield land
Chalk grassland
Coastal
Beech wood
Heathland
Hedgerows
Wildflower meadow
Mountain grassland
Moorland
Parkland
Broadleaf forest
Coniferous forest
Temperate grassland
Urban
Helpless young
Learning
Courtship display
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Food storage
Egg layer
Parental investment
Social
Scavenger
Territorial