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Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica)
FIELD MARKS
The Black-billed Magpie has a very long tail. Its head, neck, back, tail,
throat, breast, bill and legs are all black, with white on its belly and
sides. Its wings and tail are accented with a glossy greenish-blue. Magpies
tend to be noisy and very social. Approximate length: 50 cm
FOOD
These birds are omnivores. They tend to eat more insects than most members
of this family. They also eat berries, seeds, nuts, carrion, rodents, other
young birds and sometimes small snakes.
HABITAT
Magpies live in open country with scattered trees. They can usually be found
along edges and openings in forests, or among streamside shrubbery.
NESTING
Both female and male magpies work together to build huge dome-shaped nest
on branches of trees or bushes. The outside is made of thorny sticks,
with one or more entrances. The inside is plastered with mud and lined
with fine grass, rootlets and hair. The female lays 5-7 greenish-grey
eggs that have dark brown spots.
STATUS
Common and widespread, even though these birds were killed as pests in the
early 1900s. |
