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Difference between revisions of "Eurasian Magpie" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Common_Magpie.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|henkdikkers|henkdikkers}}<br />Nuis, [[The Netherlands]], January 2007]]
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[[Image:Common_Magpie.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|henkdikkers|henkdikkers}}<br />Nuis, [[The Netherlands]], January 2007]]
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'''Alternative Name: Common Magpie; Pied Magpie'''
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'''Alternative Names: Common Magpie; Pied Magpie'''
 
;[[: Category:Pica|Pica]] pica
 
;[[: Category:Pica|Pica]] pica
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'''Includes: Arabian Magpie; Oriental Magpie; Black-rumped Magpie; Kamchatka Magpie; Maghreb Magpie'''
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'''Formerly included: [[Asir Magpie]]; [[Oriental Magpie]]; [[Black-rumped Magpie]]; and [[Maghreb Magpie]]'''
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
[[Image:Magpie IMG 3684.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Florian+Andronache|Florian Andronache}}<!--aka Teodor--><br />Romania, May 2008]]
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[[Image:7D2 5168 b 900 b.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Joe52|Joe52}}<br />Bournemouth, [[Dorset]], October 2018]]
 +
Length 46–50 cm (18-19¾ in); weight 187-268 g (male), 161-240 g (female)<br />
 
* Black head, neck, breast and back
 
* Black head, neck, breast and back
 
* Prominent white side patches and belly
 
* Prominent white side patches and belly
−
* Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually bluey-green and purple
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* Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually blue-green and purple
 
* Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out
 
* Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out
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====Subspecies Variations====
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* ''bottanensis'' has a black rump, a short tail, a stout bill and only little gloss in plumage
 
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* ''serica'' is dark and small and has a short tail
 
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* ''mauritanica'' has a large blue patch of bare skin behind the eye
 
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* ''asirensis'' is darker, has a black rump, less white in plumage and a short tail
 
 
Sexes are similar. Juveniles are duller than adults.
 
Sexes are similar. Juveniles are duller than adults.
 +
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
Found in most of [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]], northern [[Africa]] ([[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]]), [[Saudi Arabia]] (Asir massif), central [[Asia]] to [[China]], [[Korea]], [[Japan]] and east [[Siberia]].<br />
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Found across most of northern Eurasia from [[Europe]] to the Russian Far East and south to [[Asia Minor]] and northwest [[India]].  Birds ranging in [[Africa]], [[Arabia]] and Southern [[Asia]] now considered to belong to other species. Widespread and common in most of its range.
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Widespread and common in most of its range.
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[[Image:12104magpie.jpg|thumb|350px|right|subspecies ''bactriana''<br />Photo by {{user|Rajiv+Lather|Rajiv Lather}}<br />Leh, [[India]], October 2006]]
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
This species was formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Magpie]] ''P. hudsonia.''  
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This species was formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Magpie]] ''P. hudsonia''.
 +
[[Image:12104magpie.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''P. p. bactriana''<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Rajiv+Lather|Rajiv Lather}}<br />Leh, [[India]], October 2006]]
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
−
About 12 subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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Six subspecies are recognised<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 +
*''P. p. melanotos'':
 +
:*[[Iberia|Iberian Peninsula]]
 
*''P. p. pica'':
 
*''P. p. pica'':
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:*[[British Isles]], southern [[Scandinavia]], central and eastern [[Europe]] to [[Asia Minor]]
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:*Europe, from the [[British Isles]], [[France]], and southern [[Scandinavia]] to eastern [[Europe]] and [[Asia Minor]]
 
*''P. p. fennorum'':
 
*''P. p. fennorum'':
 
:*Northern [[Scandinavia]] and western [[Russia]]
 
:*Northern [[Scandinavia]] and western [[Russia]]
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*''P. p. galliae'':
 
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:*Western [[Europe]] to [[Balkans]]
 
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*''P. p. melanotos'':
 
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:*[[Iberia|Iberian Peninsula]]
 
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*''P. p. mauretanica'' (Maghreb Magpie):
 
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:*North-eastern [[Mauritania]] to [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]]
 
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[[Image:19145AGuy 00072.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Oriental Magpie, ''P. p. serica''<br />Photo by {{user|anonymous_guy|anonymous_guy}}<br />Lamma Island, [[Hong Kong]]]]
 
−
*''P. p. asirensis'' (Arabian Magpie):
 
−
:*Assir Mountains (south-western [[Arabia]])
 
 
*''P. p. bactriana'':
 
*''P. p. bactriana'':
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:*Central [[Russia]] to northern [[India]] and western [[Tibet]]
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:*Western and southern [[Siberia]] (east to Lake Baikal) and central [[Asia]], south to the Caucasus region east to [[Pakistan]] and northwestern [[India]]
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*''P. p. hemileucoptera'':
 
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:*Western and southern [[Siberia]] to Outer [[Mongolia]]
 
 
*''P. p. leucoptera'':
 
*''P. p. leucoptera'':
−
:*Southern Transbaicalia to eastern [[Mongolia]] and Altai Mountains
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:*Southern Transbaicalia to eastern [[Mongolia]] and Altai Mountains  
 
*''P. p. camtschatica'' (Kamchatka Magpie):
 
*''P. p. camtschatica'' (Kamchatka Magpie):
−
:*Northern shores of Sea of Okhotsk to Kamchatka Peninsula
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:*Northern shores of Sea of Okhotsk to Kamchatka Peninsula<br />
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*''P. p. bottanensis'' (Black-rumped or Tibetian Magpie):
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[[Image:IMG 1548a.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile, subspecies ''P. p. bactriana''<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Mohamad+Kamrani|Mohamad Kamrani}}<br />Nahavand, [[Iran]]]]
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:*Eastern [[Himalayas]] to south-eastern [[Tibet]] and western [[China]] (Qinghai and Xinjiang)
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''P. p. galliae'' of Western [[Europe]] to [[Balkans]] is a junior synonym of ''P. p. pica'' and no longer recognized.<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> <br />
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*''P. p. serica'' (alternative spelling ''sericea'' (Oriental Magpie):
+
''P. p. hemileucoptera'' of Western and southern [[Siberia]] to Outer [[Mongolia]] is considered to be a junior synonym of'' P. p. bactriana'' and no longer recognized.<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> <br />
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:*Southern [[China]] to [[Myanmar]], [[Indochina]], Hainan and [[Taiwan]]
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 +
The following former subspecies have been split into full species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
 +
*''P. p. mauretanica'' [[Maghreb Magpie]]
 +
*''P. p. asirensis'' [[Asir Magpie]]
 +
*''P. p. bottanensis'' [[Black-rumped Magpie]]
 +
*''P. p. serica'' [[Oriental Magpie]]
  
−
[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=69349&highlight=magpie This] is a thread discussing possible splits from this group of subspecies, with ''serica'' and ''bottanensis'' the strongest contenders(?).
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks.
 
Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks.
Line 57: Line 50:
 
Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides.
 
Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides.
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
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Omnivorous. Feeds mainly on invertebrates, small mammals, lizards, frogs, bird eggs, nestlings and carrion.
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Omnivorous. Feeds mainly on invertebrates, small mammals, lizards, frogs, bird eggs, nestlings and carrion. Often caches food.
 +
 
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
 
Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows which often contains shiny objects
 
Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows which often contains shiny objects
−
====Vocalisation====  
+
 
 +
====Vocalisation====
 
Harsh "chack, chack, chack".  
 
Harsh "chack, chack, chack".  
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<flashmp3>Pica pica (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />    
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''[[Media:Pica pica (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
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{{ Audio|Pica pica (song).mp3 }}    
 +
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker18V8.2}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
 
#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
 
#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
−
#Collins Field Guid 5th Edition
+
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
−
#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
+
#Madge, S., Christie, D.A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2018). Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/60753 on 17 August 2018).
 +
#Song, G., Zhang, R., Alström, P., Irestedt, M., Cai, T., Qu, Y., Ericson, P.G.P., Fjeldså, J. & Lei, F. (2018) Complete taxon sampling of the avian genus Pica (magpies) reveals ancient relictual populations and synchronous Late-Pleistocene demographic expansion across the Northern Hemisphere. J. Avian Biol.49(2): https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01612.
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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{{GSearch|pica_pica}}
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{{GSearch|"Pica pica" {{!}} "Common Magpie" {{!}} "Pied Magpie" {{!}} "Eurasian Magpie"}}
 +
<br />
 +
{{VSearch|"Pica pica" {{!}} "Common Magpie" {{!}} "Pied Magpie" {{!}} "Eurasian Magpie"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}
 +
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
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{{Video|Eurasian_Magpie}}<br />
 
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{{Video|Common_Magpie Use "Common Magpie" to}}
 
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[[Category:Birds]][[category:Pica]][[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]]
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[[Category:Birds]][[category:Pica]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 02:21, 11 February 2023

Photo © by henkdikkers
Nuis, The Netherlands, January 2007

Alternative Names: Common Magpie; Pied Magpie

Pica pica

Formerly included: Asir Magpie; Oriental Magpie; Black-rumped Magpie; and Maghreb Magpie

Identification

Nominate subspecies
Photo © by Joe52
Bournemouth, Dorset, October 2018

Length 46–50 cm (18-19¾ in); weight 187-268 g (male), 161-240 g (female)

  • Black head, neck, breast and back
  • Prominent white side patches and belly
  • Wings and tail, whilst looking black in certain lights, are actually blue-green and purple
  • Very long tail, diamond-shaped when spread out

Sexes are similar. Juveniles are duller than adults.

Distribution

Found across most of northern Eurasia from Europe to the Russian Far East and south to Asia Minor and northwest India. Birds ranging in Africa, Arabia and Southern Asia now considered to belong to other species. Widespread and common in most of its range.

Taxonomy

This species was formerly considered conspecific with Black-billed Magpie P. hudsonia.

Subspecies P. p. bactriana
Photo © by Rajiv Lather
Leh, India, October 2006

Subspecies

Six subspecies are recognised[1]:

  • P. p. melanotos:
  • P. p. pica:
  • P. p. fennorum:
  • P. p. bactriana:
  • Western and southern Siberia (east to Lake Baikal) and central Asia, south to the Caucasus region east to Pakistan and northwestern India
  • P. p. leucoptera:
  • Southern Transbaicalia to eastern Mongolia and Altai Mountains
  • P. p. camtschatica (Kamchatka Magpie):
  • Northern shores of Sea of Okhotsk to Kamchatka Peninsula
Juvenile, subspecies P. p. bactriana
Photo © by Mohamad Kamrani
Nahavand, Iran

P. p. galliae of Western Europe to Balkans is a junior synonym of P. p. pica and no longer recognized.[1]
P. p. hemileucoptera of Western and southern Siberia to Outer Mongolia is considered to be a junior synonym of P. p. bactriana and no longer recognized.[1]

The following former subspecies have been split into full species[1]

Habitat

Farmland and open country. Also town gardens and parks.

Behaviour

Walks and will hop sideways.

Flight

Quick, with deep, fast, even wing beats. Short glides.

Diet

Omnivorous. Feeds mainly on invertebrates, small mammals, lizards, frogs, bird eggs, nestlings and carrion. Often caches food.

Breeding

Builds a domed nest in tall trees, or hedgerows which often contains shiny objects

Vocalisation

Harsh "chack, chack, chack".

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v8.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.8.2. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  3. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
  4. Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
  5. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
  6. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  7. Madge, S., Christie, D.A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2018). Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/60753 on 17 August 2018).
  8. Song, G., Zhang, R., Alström, P., Irestedt, M., Cai, T., Qu, Y., Ericson, P.G.P., Fjeldså, J. & Lei, F. (2018) Complete taxon sampling of the avian genus Pica (magpies) reveals ancient relictual populations and synchronous Late-Pleistocene demographic expansion across the Northern Hemisphere. J. Avian Biol.49(2): https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01612.

Recommended Citation

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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