# Magpie (*Pica pica*)

> The magpie (Pica pica) is a bold, black-and-white member of the crow family found across farmland, woodland edges, parks, and suburbs. Around 45 cm long with a 52–60 cm wingspan and a long iridescent tail, it is one of the most intelligent of all birds. Magpies are opportunistic omnivores that typically live about five years, though some reach 21.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Open countryside with trees, farmland, and towns across Europe, much of temperate Asia, and North Africa.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/magpie/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Corvidae
- **Genus:** Pica

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Pica pica |
| Diet | Omnivore (insects, scraps, fruit, eggs) |
| Habitat | Farmland, woodland edges, parks, suburbs |
| Lifespan | About 5 years (up to 21) |
| Weight | 200–250 g (7–9 oz) |
| Wingspan | 52–60 cm (20–24 in) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Intelligence and self-awareness

Magpies are among the cleverest birds in the world, with a large brain relative to body size. In a famous experiment, magpies became one of the very few non-mammal species to pass the mirror self-recognition test, appearing to understand that the reflection was themselves. They solve problems, plan ahead, and remember complex social relationships within their flocks. Such cognitive skill puts them alongside their crow-family relatives as feathered problem-solvers.

## Diet and feeding

The magpie is an omnivore that eats insects, worms, seeds, fruit, carrion, scraps, and the eggs and chicks of other birds. This raiding of nests has given magpies an unfair reputation, though studies show it has little effect on overall songbird numbers. Their varied diet lets them thrive in farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens alike. Magpies readily exploit human food waste and often forage boldly around towns and roadsides.

## The myth of the thieving magpie

Magpies have long been accused of stealing and hoarding shiny objects, a belief cemented by opera and folklore. In reality, research suggests wild magpies are more wary than attracted when confronted with shiny items, and there is little evidence of genuine treasure-hoarding. The birds do cache food, hiding surplus to eat later, which may be the root of the legend. Their reputation as thieves is largely a human story rather than a fact of magpie behaviour.

## Behaviour and social life

Magpies are noisy, sociable birds that pair for the long term and defend a territory throughout the year. Non-breeding birds may gather in loose flocks, and large numbers sometimes assemble in dramatic communal displays known as "parliaments." They chatter with a distinctive rattling call and mob predators such as cats and birds of prey. Bold and curious, they are quick to investigate anything new in their surroundings.

## Nesting and reproduction

Breeding magpies build a large, domed nest of sticks with a roof to shelter the eggs and young from predators and weather. The female lays a clutch of around six eggs in spring, and both parents help feed the chicks once they hatch. Young magpies stay with their parents for several weeks after fledging before joining flocks of other juveniles. Magpies are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and populations across Europe are stable or increasing.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are magpies really intelligent?

Yes. Magpies are among the most intelligent birds known and are one of the few non-mammal species to pass the mirror self-recognition test. They solve problems, remember individuals, and navigate complex social relationships within their flocks.

### Do magpies actually steal shiny things?

Probably not in the way folklore suggests. Research indicates wild magpies are more cautious than attracted around shiny objects, and there is little evidence they hoard treasure. The legend may stem from their habit of caching food to eat later.

### How long do magpies live?

Most magpies live about five years, but some survive much longer, with the oldest recorded reaching around 21. Predation and harsh weather mean many young birds do not make it through their first year.

### What do magpies eat?

Magpies are omnivores that eat insects, worms, seeds, fruit, carrion, and food scraps, as well as the eggs and chicks of other birds. This varied diet helps them thrive in farmland, parks, and gardens.

### Are magpies bad for other birds?

Magpies do take eggs and chicks, which gives them a poor reputation, but large-scale studies have found no evidence that they cause declines in songbird populations. Habitat loss and other pressures have far greater effects on garden birds.

### Why do magpies gather in groups?

Outside the breeding season, non-breeding magpies form loose flocks, and they sometimes assemble in noisy gatherings called "parliaments." These groups may be linked to establishing territories and sorting out social rank among the birds.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Pica pica.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Pica%20pica&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Pica pica. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pica_pica/)
- [Wikipedia — Magpie.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_magpie)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/magpie/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.