The Eurasian magpie, or common magpie, belongs to the order Passeriformes. The length of an adult bird is 35–50 centimeters, the body weight reaches 350 grams, and the wingspan is up to 90 centimeters. The magpie has a slender, elongated body, a long “fan-shaped” tail, and short, narrow wings that are pointed at the ends. It has a small head and a thick, curved beak. Magpies have long feet with four toes, three facing forward and one backwards, allowing to grip a branch while perched and maintain balance.
Magpies are black and white: the head, neck, chest and back are bluish-black, with purple and green iridescent flashes. The belly and shoulders are white. Sometimes there is also a white patch in the outer wing.
Magpies eat food of animal origin. They eat whatever small creatures are most plentiful in the environment at the time. In spring, magpies feed on caterpillars, worms, beetle larvae, in summer — on all kinds of insects, and in winter — on food waste. With there is a shortage of food, seeds of cereal crops, bread crumbs, sunflower seeds, and fruits of various trees are on the menu.
Adult magpies sometimes hunt small rodents, as well as lizards. They kill their prey with their strong beak. Small birds do not usually nest in areas next to magpie families. In spring and early summer, magpies raid the nests of passerines, as well as waterfowl. They feast on eggs and chicks of sparrows, ducks, coots, quails and partridges.
The magpie is considered to be a fairly intelligent bird. It never forgets its hiding places and can quickly find the food it has hidden. Magpies never leave their nesting place for a long time; in autumn, they gather in flocks and fly to the outskirts of cities and villages, since it is easier to find food there.
The birds nest at a distance of 100–300 meters from each other. Such close proximity allows timely warning. Magpies are known for their passion for shiny things. These birds steal candy wrappers, glitter, pebbles and glass pieces and bring them to their nest. Ornithologists have not established the reason for this behavior yet. However, recent experiments cast a shadow of doubt over the belief that magpies deliberately select only shiny objects. The researchers argue that if a magpie is offered a choice of things, then the bird will not always choose a shiny item.
Magpies are black and white: the head, neck, chest and back are bluish-black, with purple and green iridescent flashes. The belly and shoulders are white. Sometimes there is also a white patch in the outer wing.
Magpies eat food of animal origin. They eat whatever small creatures are most plentiful in the environment at the time. In spring, magpies feed on caterpillars, worms, beetle larvae, in summer — on all kinds of insects, and in winter — on food waste. With there is a shortage of food, seeds of cereal crops, bread crumbs, sunflower seeds, and fruits of various trees are on the menu.
Adult magpies sometimes hunt small rodents, as well as lizards. They kill their prey with their strong beak. Small birds do not usually nest in areas next to magpie families. In spring and early summer, magpies raid the nests of passerines, as well as waterfowl. They feast on eggs and chicks of sparrows, ducks, coots, quails and partridges.
The magpie is considered to be a fairly intelligent bird. It never forgets its hiding places and can quickly find the food it has hidden. Magpies never leave their nesting place for a long time; in autumn, they gather in flocks and fly to the outskirts of cities and villages, since it is easier to find food there.
The birds nest at a distance of 100–300 meters from each other. Such close proximity allows timely warning. Magpies are known for their passion for shiny things. These birds steal candy wrappers, glitter, pebbles and glass pieces and bring them to their nest. Ornithologists have not established the reason for this behavior yet. However, recent experiments cast a shadow of doubt over the belief that magpies deliberately select only shiny objects. The researchers argue that if a magpie is offered a choice of things, then the bird will not always choose a shiny item.
