{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "australian-magpie",
  "name": "Australian Magpie",
  "scientificName": "Gymnorhina tibicen",
  "category": "Bird",
  "summary": "The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a black-and-white songbird of Australia and southern New Guinea, famous for its rich, flute-like carolling and for swooping at people near its nest in spring. Despite its name it is not related to the European magpie: it belongs to the butcherbird family, Artamidae. It is common, increasing and listed as Least Concern.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Not a true magpie",
      "body": "European settlers named the bird after the black-and-white magpie of home, but the Australian magpie is not a crow. It belongs to the family Artamidae with the butcherbirds and currawongs. Plumage varies by region: some birds have white backs, others black backs with a white nape."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Carolling",
      "body": "Australian magpies are among the most accomplished songbirds in Australia. Family groups sing together in a loud, warbling chorus to advertise their territory, and individuals also mimic other birds and sounds."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Swooping season",
      "body": "In the breeding season, roughly late winter and spring, some males defend the nest by swooping at people, cyclists and dogs that come close. Most swooping happens within about 100 m of the nest and stops when the young fledge."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Status",
      "body": "BirdLife International lists the Australian magpie as Least Concern (2018), with an increasing trend. It thrives in farmland and cities. It was introduced to New Zealand, where it is now widespread."
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Why do magpies swoop in Australia?",
      "answer": "To defend their nest and chicks during the breeding season. Only some birds swoop, and they target anything they see as a threat near the nest."
    },
    {
      "question": "Is the Australian magpie related to the European magpie?",
      "answer": "No. The Eurasian magpie is a crow (Corvidae); the Australian magpie belongs to the butcherbird family, Artamidae."
    },
    {
      "question": "Where do Australian magpies live?",
      "answer": "Across most of Australia and in southern New Guinea. They were introduced to New Zealand."
    },
    {
      "question": "What do Australian magpies eat?",
      "answer": "Mainly insects and other invertebrates that they find by walking on the ground, plus some small animals and seeds."
    }
  ],
  "sourceUpdate": null,
  "evidence": [],
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Aves",
    "order": "Passeriformes",
    "family": "Artamidae",
    "genus": "Gymnorhina"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.28,
    "lengthM": 0,
    "topSpeedKmh": 0,
    "lifespanYears": 0
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Gymnorhina tibicen"
    },
    {
      "label": "Family",
      "value": "Artamidae (butcherbirds and woodswallows)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Mainly ground insects and other invertebrates"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Open woodland, farmland, parks and suburbs"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Average about 285 g"
    },
    {
      "label": "Range",
      "value": "Australia and southern New Guinea"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2018)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Most of Australia and southern New Guinea; introduced to New Zealand.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.",
      "url": "https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/australian-magpie-gymnorhina-tibicen"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.",
      "url": "https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/australian-magpie/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/australian-magpie/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}