Birds Active during the day

Eurasian Magpie

Pica pica

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Eurasian Magpie is the intelligent, iridescent jewel of the backyard. Known for their striking monochrome plumage and legendary problem-solving skills, these charismatic corvids are a favorite for bird-watchers and camera enthusiasts alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 44–46 cm (17–18 in); Wingspan: 52–62 cm (20–24 in); Weight: 200–250 g (7.1–8.8 oz)

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Colors

Bold black and white plumage; head, breast, and back are black; belly and shoulder patches are pure white; wings and long tail exhibit brilliant metallic blue, green, and purple iridescence.

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Key Features

Extremely long, wedge-shaped iridescent tail
Bold monochrome black-and-white pattern
Powerful, heavy black beak
White wing patches visible in flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Omnivorous generalists that forage primarily on the ground for insects, grain, berries, and carrion; they also opportunistically take eggs or nestlings.

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Habitat Widespread in open countryside with scattered trees, suburban gardens, urban parks, and woodland edges.

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Where Does the Eurasian Magpie Live?

Native to the vast temperate regions of the Eurasian continent, the Eurasian Magpie is a highly successful resident from the British Isles and Western Europe through Russia to the Pacific coast of China and Japan. While they are found as far south as Northwest Africa, their core population density remains in the mid-latitudes of Europe and Central Asia. They are remarkably adaptable, having expanded their range into urban and suburban environments throughout the 20th century.

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10 Countries

32.1M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

GB United Kingdom FR France DE Germany Russia CN China ES Spain PL Poland IT Italy Turkey JP Japan

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Eurasian Magpies are among the most intelligent animals on the planet, famously being the first non-mammal species proven to possess self-recognition in mirror tests. In your backyard, they are inquisitive and bold, often the first birds to investigate a new object or food source. They live in complex social structures, usually seen in devoted pairs during the breeding season or small family groups that work together to defend territory from rivals or predators like domestic cats.

These corvids are highly vocal, using a series of rapid 'chak-chak' alarm calls to alert other birds of danger. While they have a reputation as 'thieves' of shiny objects, this is largely a myth; their real interest is food. They are meticulously organized, often caching surplus food in shallow holes in the ground and covering them with leaves or stones to retrieve later. Their flight is characteristic, featuring a series of heavy wingbeats followed by a graceful glide, showing off their long, streaming tails.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of Eurasian Magpies, place your camera approximately 0.5 to 1 meter off the ground. These birds are primary ground-feeders, so a low-angle shot will capture their hopping movements and the full length of their impressive tails. Aim the camera toward an open patch of lawn or a flat, low-lying platform where they feel safe landing and scanning for predators.

Because magpies are exceptionally clever, they may be wary of a new camera. To encourage them to linger, offer a 'high-value' lure like unsalted peanuts (in the shell provides better video as they struggle to crack them), suet pellets, or dried mealworms. Scatter the food in a small 1-meter radius to keep the bird within the camera's focal range. If you have a bird bath, this is another excellent focal point, as magpies are frequent and enthusiastic bathers.

Lighting is crucial for capturing their iridescence. Position your camera facing north or south so the sun strikes the bird from the side or front; direct morning or afternoon sunlight will make the blue and green sheen on their wings and tail shimmer vividly against the black feathers. Set your camera to a fast trigger speed or high-frame-rate video, as their head movements are quick and they can be flighty if they sense movement nearby.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eurasian Magpie.

Iberian Magpie

Smaller with a distinct azure-blue tail and wings, and a soft grey-pink body rather than the bold white belly.

Carrion Crow

Slightly larger and entirely black with no white markings and a much shorter, square-ended tail.

Common Raven

Much larger with a massive beak and shaggy throat feathers; lacks the white patches and colorful iridescence of the magpie.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eurasian Magpies are diurnal, with peak activity occurring in the first few hours after sunrise as they forage for food. You will also see increased activity in the late afternoon before they return to communal roosts in tall trees for the night.

The most effective way to attract them is by providing high-protein food like unsalted peanuts, suet, or mealworms on a ground-level tray or open lawn. They are also attracted to large, shallow bird baths for drinking and bathing.

They are omnivores with a varied diet including beetles, caterpillars, worms, and spiders. They also eat seeds, fruit, and kitchen scraps, and will occasionally scavenge carrion or the eggs of other birds during the spring.

Yes, they are very common in suburbs. They thrive in the 'edge' habitats provided by gardens, which offer both open grass for foraging and trees or tall shrubs for nesting and protection from predators.

The Eurasian Magpie is easily distinguished from other corvids by its long, wedge-shaped tail and the large patches of white on its belly and shoulders. Most other crows, like the Carrion Crow or Raven, are entirely black and have much shorter tails.

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