Magpie: Nature's Oddly Big-Brained Bird

Introduction to Magpie Birds

Some see the word "Magpie" and remember the neo-noir thriller directed by Sam Yates. Others read it and remember the English football club most associated with it. But today, the Magpie is a bird that offers more than its plain black and white appearance suggests. Known for its limitless talent, the Magpie bird provides a fascinating look into the underrated intelligence of sky surfers. This intelligence, mixed with the annoyingly loud calls, makes this bird an interesting member of the crow family.

Applauded as a jack of all trades, the magpie shows remarkable adaptability, seamlessly switching between scavenging and predatory routines. But how does it survive when it becomes the prey? In this article, we'll explore what makes the magpie bird stand out within the corvid family and why it holds a special place in various cultures.

Meet the Magpie Bird: Brainy, Beautiful, and Bold 

As a member of the sophisticated Corvidae family, the Magpie (Pica spp.) is regarded as one of the most intelligent birds in the world. The Corvidae family also includes crows, jays, ravens, and nutcrackers, each with its special trait.

In the case of the Magpie, it's one of the few animals whose tail makes up half the length of their body. It weighs over 200 grams and measures between 16 and 20 inches. The male Magpie is also slightly heavier than the female species, but both share a similar appearance.

When it comes to their plumage, the Magpie spots a blend of black, white, and iridescent shades of blue on the wings. It has a keen vision expected of a bird and strong, long tails for balance during flight, and perches. However, its physical elegance is paired with an obnoxious, extroverted behavior. A magpie is loud to put it plainly, often letting out warbles, squawks, and mimicry that have a wide range.

Magpies are different and broadly categorized into true and other magpies. The true Magpie is the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica), while the Australian and Azure-winged magpies are classified as other Magpies.

Where Do Magpie Birds Live

A magpie is one thing – adaptable. It's grown accustomed to both its natural habitats and foreign areas where it finds itself. Open woodlands, grasslands, Savannas, riverbanks, bushy areas, and even farmlands are the more natural habitats of the Magpie. Such habitats are vital for nesting, as Magpies are particular about trees and tall bushes. The nests are dome-shaped, made with twigs, mud, and other materials, and placed high in trees.

But in terms of sharing the same space, magpies can also be found in Urban parks, gardens, and city edges. The ideal habitat, however, is one where the Magpie has access to open ground and trees/shrubs for foraging and nesting.

Photo by Sandeep Dangi on Pexels

Regardless, a magpie is intelligent enough to adapt to any surroundings. For instance, it has been spotted searching the bins and roadsides for food scraps. It has also learned to build nests on structures like windows or rooftops. From the countryside to suburban cities, the Magpie is widely distributed.

The true Magpie – the Eurasian Magpie – is seen across Europe, Asia (where it's seen as a bringer of good luck), and North Africa. The black-billed Magpie resides closer to us in western North America, while we'll have to travel down to Australia if we want to see the Australian Magpie. The Azure-winged Magpie is also on the other side of the world in Asia, particularly China and Korea.

How Smart Are Magpie Birds? Small Brain, Big Minds

Adaptability, mentioned earlier, is one part of the intelligence of a magpie. But what's truly fascinating is their list of behaviors that showcase a mind bigger than its feathers. For example, magpies are able to recognize their reflections in mirrors, telling exactly what they look like, which isn't a common feature in the animal kingdom. Dolphins, elephants, and apes are other animals capable of self-awareness, and we all know how smart these animals are described as being.

The Magpie's memory is also excellent, helping them remember where they hid food, months after hiding them. They also remember predator areas, navigate their way around Urban areas, and learn human behavior. So the next time you see a magpie staring, you're more or less their next visual lesson.

A magpie will almost certainly remember your face if it stares long enough, as well as the faces of other magpies in its social group. Communication is done with a range of body languages and vocalizations - some complex, others just plain noisy. Sometimes, an Australian magpie will be caught mimicking human speech.

Although it's not as skilled as its raven brothers, the Magpie will often be seen using tools to solve problems or acquire food. Magpies are also emotional birds, showcasing sadness around deceased magpies or leaving twigs around them – a sign of the social bond they built. Combining emotional intelligence with adaptability, problem-solving with self-awareness, and a retentive memory places the Magpie in an elite list of mind-above-feather birds.

The Black and White Science Behind Magpie Appearance 

When it comes to the Magpie's appearance, its simple look is a blend of form and function. The colour combination of the Magpie is the result of pigmentation and structural coloration. Melanin in the Magpie absorbs light and gives a rich black feather. The feathers are also strengthened and protected from UV rays, a good feature for a bird that flies a lot.

The belly and shoulders, however, lack this melanin pigment, and the result is a white patch on each of these areas. Instead, they contain tiny, air-filled fragments that scatter all visible wavelengths equally, resulting in a white sheen. The Magpie's tail feathers also exhibit iridescence – structural coloration not caused by pigmentation but scattered wavelengths of light. In this case, the resulting sheens are often blue or green, depending on how you see it.

Added to its black and white sheen, the long feather tail of the Magpie is another vital part of its anatomy and function. This long tail makes up roughly half the length of the bird and serves as both a steering and stabilizer during flight. Coupled with the broad, rounded wings, the Magpie is able to express agility and balance during flight. In other cheeky uses, the tail is fanned during mating rituals and territorial signaling.

Diet, Daily Life, and Danger Threats

Magpies display adaptive behaviors that help them survive in diverse environments. Their diet, social habits, and challenges reveal key survival strategies.

What Do Magpie Birds Eat?

Magpies aren't picky eaters. Considering that they move around and adapt to any surroundings, it's no surprise that they've become opportunistic omnivores. In other words, they'll eat anything they can find, either in the forests or in local parks. They've adopted a varied diet which includes small animals like lizards, frogs, and even poor baby mammals. Other food options include berries, nuts, beetles, worms, and ants.

This all-inclusive diet is no problem for their beak, which is strong enough to peck or tear any food they're in the mood for. It also means that magpies are annoying enough to raid other nests for eggs. They'll even scavenge on dead animals and human food scraps if they're stuck in urban areas.

By Yellowstone National Park, via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Daily Habits and Behavior

Feeding is one part of the magpies' daily life; other aspects of it revolve around social interactions, such as observing humans and other magpies. Different social interactions include forming groups for foraging or establishing territories. Magpies also call out to each other using loud calls and chattering.

These birds love a clean look, doing so by preening, which involves using their beak to remove dirt from feathers. While we tan and dive in hot tubs, magpies take sand baths.

Photo by Nigel Cohen on Pexels

Threats to Magpie Birds and How They Survive

Magpies aren't always the predators in their story. Sometimes their lives are at risk when exposed to human and non-human threats. Bigger animals like foxes and snakes have them in their diet, while other magpies will raid their nests for eggs.

Human-related threats, on the other hand, include destruction of habitats, road accidents, or poisoning in areas where the magpies have developed a bad reputation as pests.

Despite numerous threats, magpies survive by relying on their highly alert nature, complex warning calls, and cooperative group behavior to detect and respond to danger. They also tend to build their nests in high and hidden locations, reducing the risk of eggs or chicks being targeted by predators.

Magpie Birds in Culture and Symbolism 

Magpies aren't just found in forests and urban areas; they are featured in various folklores. One such popular folklore is rooted in Chinese culture, where the Magpie bird is seen as a bringer of joy and happiness.

However, it gets eerier as we switch to the English culture, which depicts the Magpie as a bird of bad luck and death. Even the rhyme that accompanies it leaves chills as it's sung. "One for sorrow, two for joy..." Essentially, the idea is that seeing one Magpie will bring bad luck while seeing another brings good fortune.

Australia is where love is a mixed affair. Magpies are loved because some people enjoy their melodic tunes. At the same time, many people are not impressed by their aggressive nature and theft. 

Conclusion

The Magpie is an interesting bird. Is it shy or just deceptive for the sake of knowledge? Is it a bringer of good luck or something to look away from if you're into superstitions? One thing is sure, though: the Magpie definitely has a mind bigger than its body. It's a unique behavior, and social and emotional intelligence are intriguing to study and understand. But keep them away from your jewels so you don't lose anything.

At the same time, the Magpie gives us a glimpse of the Corvidae family. Is it safe to say that this family of birds is closer to humans in terms of intelligence than we know? Several questions about the Magpie have been answered here already. But several more have only just formed. Thankfully, these birds aren't going anywhere, so expect future studies to come to light.

 If you’re intrigued by the magpie’s cleverness, don’t miss our deep dive into Myna Birds— urban tricksters famous for their extraordinary mimicry and adaptability. Explore their fascinating behaviors and discover why they captivate so many enthusiasts.

Photo by Carolyn Shearer on Pexels

FAQs about Magpie Birds

How big is a magpie?

Magpies measure 16-20 inches from beak to tail. They also weigh between 200 and 250 grams.

Do magpies bring bad luck?

Some British cultures believe that seeing one Magpie brings bad luck or sorrows.

Are there magpies in the USA?

Yes, there are magpies in the United States. Specifically, the black-billed magpie is found throughout western North America. A related species, the yellow-billed magpie, is endemic to California.

What is special about a magpie bird?

The Eurasian magpie, for instance, is considered one of the world's most intelligent creatures and is among the few non-mammalian species able to recognize itself in a mirror test. Magpies have shown the ability to make and use tools, imitate human speech, grieve, play games, and work in teams.

What does it mean to be called a magpie?

Being called a “magpie” usually means someone talks a lot or likes to collect shiny, interesting things—just like the bird. Sometimes it’s used playfully, not as an insult.

Do magpies steal shiny things?

Magpies are curious and attracted to shiny objects, but they don’t go out of their way to steal them. Sometimes they may pick up something sparkly while exploring, but it’s mostly playful curiosity.